OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between cigarette excise tax increases and tax-avoidant purchasing behaviors among New York City adult smokers. METHODS: We analyzed data from the city's annual Community Health Survey to assess changes in rates of tax avoidance over time (2003-2010) and smokers' responses to the 2008 state cigarette tax increase. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified correlates of buying more cigarettes on the street in response to the increase. RESULTS: After the 2002 tax increase, the percentage of smokers engaged in tax-avoidant behavior decreased with time from 30% in 2003 to 13% in 2007. Following the 2008 tax increase, 21% of smokers reported buying more cigarettes from another person on the street. Low-income, younger, Black, and Hispanic smokers were more likely than respondents with other sociodemographic characteristics to purchase more cigarettes on the street. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize public health impact, cigarette tax increases should be paired with efforts to limit the flow of untaxed cigarettes entering jurisdictions with high cigarette pack prices.
OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between cigarette excise tax increases and tax-avoidant purchasing behaviors among New York City adult smokers. METHODS: We analyzed data from the city's annual Community Health Survey to assess changes in rates of tax avoidance over time (2003-2010) and smokers' responses to the 2008 state cigarette tax increase. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified correlates of buying more cigarettes on the street in response to the increase. RESULTS: After the 2002 tax increase, the percentage of smokers engaged in tax-avoidant behavior decreased with time from 30% in 2003 to 13% in 2007. Following the 2008 tax increase, 21% of smokers reported buying more cigarettes from another person on the street. Low-income, younger, Black, and Hispanic smokers were more likely than respondents with other sociodemographic characteristics to purchase more cigarettes on the street. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize public health impact, cigarette tax increases should be paired with efforts to limit the flow of untaxed cigarettes entering jurisdictions with high cigarette pack prices.
Authors: Thomas R Frieden; Farzad Mostashari; Bonnie D Kerker; Nancy Miller; Anjum Hajat; Martin Frankel Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-06 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jamie F Chriqui; Kurt M Ribisl; Raedell M Wallace; Rebecca S Williams; Jean C O'Connor; Regina el Arculli Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2008-02 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Donna Shelley; M Jennifer Cantrell; Joyce Moon-Howard; Destiny Q Ramjohn; Nancy VanDevanter Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-06-28 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Andrea S Licht; Andrew J Hyland; Richard J O'Connor; Frank J Chaloupka; Ron Borland; Geoffrey T Fong; Nigar Nargis; K Michael Cummings Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2011-01-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elizabeth A Kilgore; Jenna Mandel-Ricci; Michael Johns; Micaela H Coady; Sarah B Perl; Andrew Goodman; Susan M Kansagra Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-04-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: André Szklo; Roberto Magno Iglesias; Mirian Carvalho de Souza; Moysés Szklo; Liz Maria de Almeida Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-12-21 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Robert C Kaplan; Shrikant I Bangdiwala; Janice M Barnhart; Sheila F Castañeda; Marc D Gellman; David J Lee; Eliseo J Pérez-Stable; Gregory A Talavera; Marston E Youngblood; Aida L Giachello Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 5.043