Reactions of adult and teenaged smokers to the Massachusetts tobacco tax.
- 1 September 1998
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 88 (9), 1389-1391
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.88.9.1389
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed smokers' reactions to a 25 cents cigarette tax imposed in Massachusetts. METHODS: A statewide telephone survey of 1783 adult smokers and 216 teenaged smokers was conducted. RESULTS: Among adult smokers, 3.5% reported that they had stopped smoking, owing in part to the price increase; 35% had considered quitting and 19% had attempted to cut the cost of smoking by switching to cheaper brands or cutting down. Among teenagers, 21% had considered quitting and 26% had cut costs. Low-income smokers were more responsive to the price increase than more affluent smokers. CONCLUSIONS: A modest and temporary price increase promoted quitting among adult smokers and reduced cigarette consumption among low-income teenagers.Keywords
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