The Impact of Antismoking Policies in Korea on Quit Success and Smoking Intentions

Abstract

"In 2001 and 2002, the Korean government dramatically increased cigarette taxes, anti-smoking advertisements, and smoking prohibitions as part of an anti-smoking campaign. This paper examines the impacts of these policy changes by modeling quit success and smoking intentions pre- and post-policy and attributing model differences to anti-smoking policies. Model results provide evidence that national anti-smoking policies increased both quitting success and intention to quit. However, the impacts of these policies are uneven throughout Korean society. Females and those who exercise for health maintenance experienced higher quit success. Heavy smokers and high frequency alcohol drinkers stated they are less likely to quit smoking post-policy. One impact of national anti-smoking policies is reduced provincial differences among Koreans in both quit success and intention to quit. Future anti-smoking policies should address the different needs of these groups." ("JEL" D12, I19) Copyright (c) 2009 Western Economic Association International.

Time preferences and health behaviour: a review

“…In addition, the study demonstrated the role of promoting general healthy behaviour in public policy. Individuals who exercised more and were moderate drinkers were found to be more likely to intend to quit smoking (Hong and Collins 2010).…”

“…For instance, efforts from the Korean government in the early twenty-first century seemed to improve quit success and intention. Among their efforts were the combined effects of increased cigarette taxes and anti-smoking campaigns (these were not evaluated separately in the model) (Hong and Collins 2010). In addition, the study demonstrated the role of promoting general healthy behaviour in public policy.…”