Exploring Impacts of Taxes and Hospitality Bans on Cigarette Prices and Smoking Prevalence Using a Large Dataset of Cigarette Prices at Stores 2001–2011, USA

Lance S. Ballester, Amy H. Auchincloss, Lucy F. Robinson and Stephanie L. Mayne
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Lance S. Ballester: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Amy H. Auchincloss: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Lucy F. Robinson: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Stephanie L. Mayne: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: In the USA, little is known about local variation in retail cigarette prices; price variation explained by taxes, bans, and area-level socio-demographics, and whether taxes and hospitality bans have synergistic effects on smoking prevalence. Cigarette prices 2001–2011 from chain supermarkets and drug stores ( n = 2973) were linked to state taxes ( n = 41), state and county bar/restaurant smoking bans, and census block group socio-demographics. Hierarchical models explored effects of taxes and bans on retail cigarette prices as well as county smoking prevalence (daily, non-daily). There was wide variation in store-level cigarette prices in part due to differences in state excise taxes. Excise taxes were only partially passed onto consumers (after adjustment, $1 tax associated with $0.90 increase in price, p < 0.0001) and the pass-through was slightly higher in areas that had bans but did not differ by area-level socio-demographics. Bans were associated with a slight increase in cigarette price (after adjustment, $0.09 per-pack, p < 0.0001). Taxes and bans were associated with reduction in smoking prevalence and taxes had a stronger association when combined with bans, suggesting a synergistic effect. Given wide variation in store-level prices, and uneven state/county implementation of taxes and bans, more federal policies should be considered.

Keywords: places; smoking; environment; tobacco control; tobacco price; smoking cessation policies; secondhand smoke (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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