Behavioral change in response to a statewide tobacco tax increase and differences across socioeconomic status. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parks, Michael J.; Kingsbury, John H.; Boyle, Raymond G.; Choi, Kelvin
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 73(2017)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Cigarette excise taxes -- Statewide tobacco taxation -- Stages-of-change perspective -- Tobacco-related disparities -- Health equity; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.05.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Tobacco use is a leading behavioral risk factor for morbidity and mortality, and the tobacco epidemic disproportionately affects low-socioeconomic status (SES) populations. Taxation is effective for reducing cigarette use, and it is an effective population-based policy for reducing SES-related tobacco disparities. However, progress in implementing cigarette excise taxes has stalled across the United States, and there is a dearth of research on the full spectrum of behavioral shifts that result from taxes, particularly among low-SES populations. This project documents the impact of Minnesota's $1.75 cigarette tax increase implemented in 2013. Methods: Data come from the 2014 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey. Descriptive analyses and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) were used to provide a typology of the tax impact. Results: From the LCA, six classes were identified, and 42% of respondents were classified as reporting action-oriented behavioral change related to the tax—8% reported sustained smoking abstinence. We found differential behavior change across levels of SES. Low-SES and medium/high-SES individuals were equally likely to report complete tobacco cessation, but the prevalence of daily smokers who reported action-oriented behavior without sustained cessation was nearly double for low-SES individuals. Conclusions: Smokers report a range of behavioral changes in response to cigarette taxes, with differences across SES. The majority of smokers, and particularly low-SES smokers, report behavioral steps toward quitting or achieving sustained tobacco cessation in response to cigarette taxes. Complementary population-based programs geared toward assisting individuals, especially low-SES individuals, to achieve continuous tobacco cessation could increase the reach and effectiveness of cigarette taxes. Highlights: We examined survey data to assess the impact of a statewide tobacco tax increase. Latent Class Analysis provided a typology of behavioral responses to the tax. Over 40% of respondents were classified as taking action-oriented change after tax. We found differential behavior change across levels of socioeconomic status (SES). Majority of smokers, especially low-SES smokers, report steps toward cessation.