Responsiveness to cigarette prices by different racial/ethnic groups of US adults

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of cigarette prices on adult smoking for four US racial/ethnic groups: whites, African–Americans, Asians and Hispanics.MethodsWe analysed pooled cross-sectional data from the 2006/2007 and 2010/2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (n=339 921 adults aged 18+) and cigarette price data from the Tax Burden on Tobacco. Using a two-part econometric model of cigarette demand that controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, state-level antismoking sentiment, local-level smoke-free air laws and monthly indicator, we estimated for each racial/ethnic group the price elasticities of smoking participation, smoking intensity and total demand for cigarettes.ResultsSmoking prevalence for whites, African–Americans, Asians and Hispanics during the study period was 18.3%, 16.1%, 8.2% and 11.3%, respectively. The price elasticity of smoking participation was statistically significant for whites, African–Americans, Asians and Hispanics at −0.26, –0.10, −0.42 and −0.11, respectively. The price elasticity of smoking intensity was statistically significant among whites (−0.22) and African–Americans (−0.17). Overall, the total price elasticity of cigarette demand was statistically significant for all racial/ethnic groups: 0.48 for whites, −0.27 for African–Americans, −0.22 for Asians and −0.15 for Hispanics.ConclusionsOur results suggest that raising cigarette prices, such as via tobacco tax increases, would result in reduced cigarette consumption for all racial/ethnic groups. The magnitude of the effect and the impact on cessation and reduced smoking intensity differ across these groups.

The differential impact of state tobacco control policies on cessation treatment utilization across established tobacco disparities groups

“…Results from the present study suggest that for certain groups (i.e., Hispanic and non-Hispanic White smokers), increasing tobacco excise taxation may only be associated with greater cessation treatment utilization when increased to the very highest taxation levels. These results are partially consistent with the results of Yao and colleagues (40) and Farrelly and colleagues (41) who found that, although all racial/ethnic groups reduce cigarette consumption in response to cigarette price increases, Hispanic smokers (40) and White smokers (41) may be less price-responsive than other racial/ethnic groups. Thus, for certain racial/ethnic groups, tobacco price increases may need to be of a greater magnitude in order to promote cessation treatment utilization.…”

Effects of an 80% cigarette price increase on quit attempts, successful quitting and smoking intensity among Korean adult smokers: results from nationally representative longitudinal panel data

“…We included in the analysis model sociodemographic characteristics that have shown associations with smoking behaviours, such as age groups (19–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64 and 65 or more), sex (male, female), marital status (married, unmarried), educational attainment (less than high school, high school, some college or more) and income levels 10 20. Individual income levels were measured based on equivalised disposable income which was calculated by dividing the reported disposable household income by the square root of the number of household members 21.…”

Differential Associations Between Anti-Tobacco Industry Attitudes and Intention to Quit Smoking Across Young Adult Peer Crowds

“…We created a smoking intensity variable (average number of cigarettes consumed per day) by multiplying the number of days participants smoked during the last 30 days by the number of cigarettes they usually smoked each day on their smoking days, and then dividing the product by 30. 31 Demographic characteristics (ie, age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, location) were obtained. Age was calculated based on self-reported date of birth.…”

“…We created a smoking intensity variable (average number of cigarettes consumed per day) by multiplying the number of days participants smoked during the last 30 days by the number of cigarettes they usually smoked each day on their smoking days, and then dividing the product by 30. 31…”