Reactions to Cigarette Taxes and Related Messaging: Is the South Different?

Abstract

Objectives Given the lag in tobacco control policies in the southeastern US, we examined differences in reactions to tobacco taxes and related messaging among Southeasterners vs. non-Southeasterners. Methods In 2013, a cross-sectional online survey using quota-based sampling was conducted assessing tobacco use, attitudes/knowledge regarding tobacco taxation, and reactions to related messaging (health, youth prevention, economic impact, individual rights/responsibility, morality/religion, hospitality). Results Of 2501 participants, 36.7% were past 30-day smokers; 26.7% were Southeasterners. Compared to others, Southeasterners more likely believed that their state was in the bottom 20 states in tobacco taxes (p < .001) and less likely reported that their taxes were too high (p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that correlates of opposition to increased taxes included being older, having less education, being an infrequent church-attender, and being a current smoker (p's < .001); being a Southeasterner was not associated. Compared to others, Southeasterners were more likely to find pro-tobacco tax messages related to prevention and hospitality as more persuasive (p < .05) and anti-tobacco tax messaging related to the unfairness of tobacco taxes to smokers (p = .050) less persuasive. Conclusions Given that Southeasterners are receptive to increased taxation, other factors must contribute to lagging policy and must be addressed.

Smokers’ and Nonsmokers’ Receptivity to Smoke-Free Policies and Pro- and Anti-Policy Messaging in Armenia and Georgia

“…A range of arguments related to the impact of such policies on health, economic issues, youth prevention, individual rights, and morality have been used both to bolster support and opposition to such policies [21,22]. Prior research examined differences in perceptions in policies and messaging strategies with regard to the values and cultures of different populations across the US [23,24]; southeasterners (vs. others) were more persuaded by pro-tobacco tax messaging involving hospitality and protecting youth [23] and pro-smoke-free policy messaging involving economic impact, religion/morality, and hospitality [24].…”