C Schafferer1, C-Y Yeh2, S-H Chen3, J-M Lee4, C-J Hsieh5. 1. Department of International Trade, Overseas Chinese University, Taiwan. Electronic address: chris@ocu.edu.tw. 2. Department of International Trade, Overseas Chinese University, Taiwan. Electronic address: iune@ocu.edu.tw. 3. Department of International Business, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Electronic address: shchenib@kuas.edu.tw. 4. Department of Shipping and Transportation Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Electronic address: jmlee866@yahoo.com.tw. 5. Department of Finance, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan. Electronic address: sonichsieh@yahoo.com.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a simulated 10% tax-induced cigarette price increase on licit and illicit consumption and tax revenues in 36 European countries. METHODS: Employing panel data for licit and illicit cigarette consumption, fixed effects regression models were applied for different income clusters. RESULTS: Total cigarette consumption dropped by about 3.1% as a result of the simulated tax-induced price increase. Annual illicit cigarette consumption increased by 1.52%, (95% confidence interval: 0.21, 2.83), while annual licit cigarette consumption decreased by 4.61% (95% confidence interval: -6.51, -2.72) in the observed 36 European countries. With total consumption decreasing by about 8%, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia were affected the most by the price hike. More specifically, licit consumption in these countries decreased by 18.43% (95% confidence interval: -19.91, -16.95) while illicit use increased by 10.99% (95% confidence interval: 6.01, 15.96). Moreover, the overall annual tobacco tax revenue increased by US$14.69 billion in the simulation. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that European policy makers continue to implement tobacco taxation policies to control smoking prevalence and national health care expenditures. At the same time, efforts to kerb contraband activities along EU Eastern borders should be intensified.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a simulated 10% tax-induced cigarette price increase on licit and illicit consumption and tax revenues in 36 European countries. METHODS: Employing panel data for licit and illicit cigarette consumption, fixed effects regression models were applied for different income clusters. RESULTS: Total cigarette consumption dropped by about 3.1% as a result of the simulated tax-induced price increase. Annual illicit cigarette consumption increased by 1.52%, (95% confidence interval: 0.21, 2.83), while annual licit cigarette consumption decreased by 4.61% (95% confidence interval: -6.51, -2.72) in the observed 36 European countries. With total consumption decreasing by about 8%, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia were affected the most by the price hike. More specifically, licit consumption in these countries decreased by 18.43% (95% confidence interval: -19.91, -16.95) while illicit use increased by 10.99% (95% confidence interval: 6.01, 15.96). Moreover, the overall annual tobacco tax revenue increased by US$14.69 billion in the simulation. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that European policy makers continue to implement tobacco taxation policies to control smoking prevalence and national health care expenditures. At the same time, efforts to kerb contraband activities along EU Eastern borders should be intensified.
Authors: Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov; Lukas Galkus; Janina Petkevičienė; Mindaugas Štelemėkas; Laura Miščikienė; Aušra Mickevičienė; Justina Vaitkevičiūtė Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-06 Impact factor: 3.390