Gender differences in the price elasticity of demand for waterpipe and cigarette smoking in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine: a volumetric choice experiment

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study assessed the extent to which the elasticity of cigarette and waterpipe tobacco products differs between men and women. We also explored the levels of substitution and complementarity in tobacco products among men and women.SettingThe study examines tobacco elasticities in three Arab countries: Lebanon, Jordan and the West Bank of Palestine.ParticipantsWe used data from nationally representative surveys of adults aged ≥18 years in Lebanon (n=1680), Jordan (n=1925) and Palestine (n=1679). The proportion of women was 50.0% of the sample in Lebanon and Palestine, and 44.6% in Jordan.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA zero-inflated Poisson regression model estimated own-price and cross-price elasticities for two variations of cigarettes and five variations of waterpipe tobacco products. Elasticities were measured based on eight scenarios of prices.ResultsDemand for waterpipe tobacco products was elastic for both men and women. The cross-price elasticities in the three countries indicate the existence of substitution between cigarettes and waterpipe products and by different varieties within each of the two tobacco products. Gender differences varied across the three countries whereby higher cross-price elasticities were observed for women in Jordan and Palestine. For example, the price elasticity for discount waterpipe was −1.4 and −0.6 for women and men in Jordan, respectively.ConclusionsResults on the elasticity of demand for tobacco products and the existence of substitution between tobacco products reveal the higher responsiveness of men and women to changes in tobacco prices. This should be taken into consideration in tobacco control strategies particularly when reducing tobacco consumption via taxation policies.

Prevalence, Knowledge, and Attitudes among Health Professions Students toward the Use of Electronic Cigarettes

“…That is, males in Jordan have a higher probability to smoke, compared to females. This can be attributed to sociocultural approval which accepts male smoking more than female smoking [ 25 ].…”

“…A study established in Jordan and the West Bank of Palestine has demonstrated the importance of taxes in reducing the prevalence of tobacco products and the economic burden associated with it. The fact that people usually substitute different tobacco products such as conventional cigarettes, water-pipes, and e-cigarettes shows the importance of applying taxes on all tobacco products, not only on certain products [ 25 ].…”

Tobacco price elasticity by socioeconomic characteristics in Ecuador

“…Evidence regarding price elasticity by gender is limited. Some studies conclude that women are more sensitive to price changes than men, particularly among younger age groups [25][26][27]. However, other studies suggest that men have a higher price elasticity in tobacco consumption [28,29].…”

Monitoring and Combating Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Through Surveillance and Taxation

“…It does this by simultaneously offering multiple distinct volumetric choices across competing products. Data from Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon show the elasticity of demand for waterpipe tobacco products and the existence of substitution between tobacco products, which should be considered when formulating tobacco taxation strategies [ 42 ]. Thus, VCEs allow for the estimation of a complete set of own-price and cross-price elasticities that are instrumental for the purpose of fiscal policy simulations [ 3 ].…”