E-Cigarette Taxation and Queer Youth

Anthony Chuo, Chad Cotti, Charles Courtemanche, Johanna Maclean, Erik Nesson and Joseph J. Sabia

No 33326, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) teenagers is over 30 percent higher than among their heterosexual counterparts. Yet little is known about how recent efforts to curb nicotine vaping through ENDS taxes impact sexual minorities. This study explores this question using data from the 2015-2023 State Youth Behavior Surveys and a generalized difference-in-differences identification strategy. We find that a one-dollar (in 2023$) per mL of e-liquid increase in ENDS taxes reduces the likelihood of any prior-month ENDS use among heterosexual teens by about three percentage points and habitual vaping (as measured by frequent and everyday use) by about one percentage point. In sharp contrast, we find no evidence that ENDS taxes reduce any of the vaping measures for queer youths. The differences in the effects between heterosexual and LGBQ youth are statistically significant in most specifications. We also find that ENDS minimum legal sales ages affect heterosexual but not LGBQ teens, while flavor bans influence heterosexual teens more quickly. The relatively weak effects of ENDS policies on queer youth appear to be driven by those who suffer from persistent sadness, bullying, or suicidal ideation. Overall, our results are consistent with LGBQ youths exhibiting dependence on e-cigarettes to cope with unique stress-related psychological challenges.

JEL-codes: I0 I12 I14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-pub
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Working Paper: E-Cigarette Taxation and Queer Youth (2025)
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