How Low-Income Smokers in New York Access Cheaper Cigarettes

Abstract

To understand the tobacco acquisition practices of low-income smokers in New York State in light of high cigarette prices due to high cigarette taxes. Design: Eight focus groups with low-income smokers were conducted in spring 2015 and 2016 (n ¼ 74). Setting: New York City (NYC) and Buffalo, New York. Participants: Low-income adults aged 18 to 65 who smoke cigarettes regularly. Method: Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts that explored differences and similarities by region. We used the interview guide-which covered the process of acquiring cigarettes and the impact of cigarette prices-as a framework for analysis to generate themes and subthemes (deductive coding). We also generated themes and subthemes that emerged during focus group discussions (inductive coding). Results: Some smokers in Western New York have switched to untaxed cigarettes from Native American reservations, whereas low-income smokers in NYC described convenient sources of bootlegged cigarettes (packs or loosies) in their local neighborhood stores, through acquaintances, or on the street. Familiarity with the retailer was key to accessing bootlegged cigarettes from retailers. Conclusions: Smokers in this study could access cheaper cigarettes, which discouraged quit attempts and allowed them to continue smoking. The availability of lower priced cigarettes may attenuate public health efforts aimed at reducing smoking prevalence through price and tax increases.

Perceptions of Illicit Tobacco Sources Following a Proposed Reduction in Tobacco Availability: A Qualitative Analysis of New Zealanders Who Smoke

“…Evidence that illicit product purchases tended to be sporadic, according to availability, contrasts with international studies reporting more established sources of illegally imported tobacco. 39–41 Qualitative studies from the United States and United Kingdom found participants had high awareness of illicit tobacco, which was widely available in communities experiencing greater deprivation. 39–41 For example, Stead et al found illicit trade had become normalized via “fag houses”; although black market tobacco was of lower quality, the purchase process was easy and safe to navigate, and both buyers and sellers benefitted from the arrangement.…”

“… 39–41 Qualitative studies from the United States and United Kingdom found participants had high awareness of illicit tobacco, which was widely available in communities experiencing greater deprivation. 39–41 For example, Stead et al found illicit trade had become normalized via “fag houses”; although black market tobacco was of lower quality, the purchase process was easy and safe to navigate, and both buyers and sellers benefitted from the arrangement. 40 By contrast, U.S. illicit tobacco users sourced products from known and established retailers, and preferred to avoid casual “hookups” with street sellers who typically sold lower quality and less palatable tobacco.…”

“… 40 By contrast, U.S. illicit tobacco users sourced products from known and established retailers, and preferred to avoid casual “hookups” with street sellers who typically sold lower quality and less palatable tobacco. 39 , 41 …”

“…Although some of our participants thought reduced tobacco availability would mean illicit tobacco commanded extortionate prices, U.S. and UK studies found illicit tobacco was consistently cheaper than legal tobacco. 39–41 However, these studies discussed illegally imported tobacco and took place in settings where more expensive legal tobacco remained widely available, a difference that may explain how the licit and illicit markets reached a functional equilibrium. Our participants saw illicit tobacco as homegrown or stolen, rather than illegally imported; their ad hoc experiences suggest an unstable market that greater monitoring and increased border security could prevent from reaching equilibrium.…”

Aerosolspektrometrischer Vergleich der Feinstaubkonzentrationen im Passivrauch von günstigen Handelsmarken-Zigaretten und teureren Markenzigaretten

“…Maßnahme ist, dass eine Segmentierung des Marktes in preiswerte Discounterzigaretten und teure Markenzigaretten vermieden werden muss, damit kein Markenwechsel in das untere Preisniveau resultiert 26,[136][137][138]. Gligorić et al weist darauf hin, dass Preisänderungen abhängig von der sozialen Schicht unterschiedliche Auswirkungen auf die Tabakprävalenz als auch auf dessen Konsum haben 139.…”