Is household smoking status associated with expenditure on food at restaurants, alcohol, gambling and insurance? Results from the 1998–99 Household Expenditure Survey, Australia

Abstract

Aim: To examine how household expenditure on food at restaurants, alcohol, gambling and insurance vary between smoking and non-smoking households. Design: Cross sectional survey of households from private dwellings, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), using a stratified multistage area sample design. Setting: Australia, 1998-99. Participants: Nationally representative sample of households (n = 6892). Main outcome measures: Expenditure on meals at restaurants, alcohol, alcoholic beverages at licensed premises, gambling, and insurance. Results: The odds of reporting expenditure on restaurant food and health insurance were 20% and 40% smaller for smoking than non-smoking households, respectively. The odds of reporting expenditure on alcohol (not including expenditure at licensed premises), drinking at licensed premises, and gambling were 100%, 50%, and 40% greater for smoking than for non-smoking households, respectively. Conclusions: The study suggests that smokers are more likely to engage in risky behaviour. Implementing smoking bans in licensed premises and gambling venues can provide an opportunity to reduce smoking prevalence. Quitting or cutting down smoking can provide opportunities for expenditure on other products or services, and enhance standards of living.

Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians

“…Smoking is highly prevalent among those with severe mental health conditions (32%–90%) [19,20,21,22,23], as well as those attending substance abuse treatment (77%–95%) [24,25]. Indeed, smokers are more likely to spend money on alcohol and gambling [26], and this may contribute to financial stress. Individuals with very low SES often experience multiple layers of disadvantage and vulnerability.…”

Folate status and health behaviours in two Australian Indigenous populations in north Queensland

“…Furthermore, the focus on RCF in any evaluation of a fortification programme should be tempered by the importance of ensuring access to a nutritious diet including adequate fresh fruit and vegetables, especially given that folate supplementation in randomised controlled trials had no effect on reducing CVD (36) . Results from the 1998-1999 household expenditure survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggested that smoking households were more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours including spending on alcohol, drinking and gambling than non-smoking households and less likely to spend on health insurance and food (37) . The effect size of the association among women and men in our study varied in the range RR 5 1?9-2?9 which is similar to findings reported in the USA (RR 5 1?7-2?4) (10,11) , although these studies included different potentially confounding covariates such as age, sex, race, socio-economic status, folate intake, vitamin use and alcohol use.…”

Compliance and support for bans on smoking in licensed venues in Australia: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four‐Country Survey

“…A review of 21 quality international studies found that smoke‐free laws, mainly involving restaurants, had no effects or positive effects on hospitality revenues 6 . Opposition remained strongest towards restrictions in licensed and gaming venues, partly because there was less evidence to allay concerns over the consequences, but also perhaps due to more frequent patronage of pubs, clubs and gaming venues among smokers than non‐smokers 7 . Partly due to this, Australian policy‐makers adopted an incremental approach to the introduction of smoking bans, first implementing them in restaurants, cafes and a range of other venues, before phasing them into pubs and clubs.…”