Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: The current research aims to study the impact of raising tobacco tax and implementation of plain packaging on male smokers' quitting intentions in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study adopts a quantitative approach where close-ended questionnaires are distributed among 1,015 male participants from different regions of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis are conducted using SPSS software to analyze the collected primary data. Results: The study found a significant association of taxation and plain packaging on the quitting intentions of smokers. On taxation, while a considerable number of participants (46.5%) stated Original Article that they would not quit smoking if the cigarette prices increased, participants who were planning to give up smoking said it would strengthen their intention (p<0.001). In addition, logistic regression was performed to identify the independent predictors of quitting intention. Participants who did not want to apply the concept of plain packaging to Saudi Arabia were more likely to have quitting intention (odds ratio: 2.30 [1.61-3.28]) in comparison to those who wanted to apply the concept. Conclusion: Although the current price of cigarette packs reported to be very high by the participants, imposing a new higher tax may motivate smokers who had plans to quit in the near future. Plain packaging seems to be an effective new strategy in addition to tobacco taxation in Saudi Arabia, yet, more time and further research are required to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.

Impact of taxation policy on tobacco consumption in Saudi Arabia

“…29 Our result is consistent with studies published in 2020 and 2021 indicating that no association was observed between education and intention to quit smoking. 7,29,34 Our estimates of price elasticity of demand corresponded with the changes in taxation policy that increased prices. The positive elasticity figures for the years from 2013 to 2015 were not in alignment with the goals of WHO and the World Bank to reduce consumption by increasing prices.…”

“… 18 A cross-sectional study using a quantitative research approach among 1015 male participants from 2018 to 2020 in Riyadh revealed no significant association between income and intention to quit. 34 This disparity in results requires more national research to explore the correlation between income and cigarette consumption in addition to in-depth studies about the socioeconomic determinants of smoking in Saudi Arabia. We also found a strong inverse correlation between unemployment and tobacco use.…”

“… 29 Our result is consistent with studies published in 2020 and 2021 indicating that no association was observed between education and intention to quit smoking. 7 , 29 , 34 …”

“…The current price of a packet of cigarettes, 25.1 SAR (6.69 USD) is considered low according to two evaluations conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and 2020. 34 , 37 By comparison, the price per pack (in US$) was $12.37 in the United Kingdom, $9.39 in France, $9.15 in Canada in 2018, 20 and $6.86 in the United States (US) in 2013. The US is the fourth largest tobacco producing country in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control in the US.…”

Perceived Influence of Plain Cigarette Packaging on Smoking Behavior: A Systematic Review

“…The majority of the included studies were conducted in Australia 32,36–38,40,43. Most of the studies involved only the adult age group 29,31,34,36–38. Only 2 studies involved only the adolescent age group 30,39.…”