The 2009 US Federal Cigarette Tax Increase and Quitline Utilization in 16 States
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Bush
T, Zbikowski S, Mahoney L, Deprey M, Mowery PD, Magnusson B. Journal of
Environmental and Public Health. Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 314740, 9
pages.
This study describes call volumes to 16 state quitlines, characteristics of
callers, and cessation outcomes before and after the federal excise tax increased
on April 1, 2009 from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack. Results showed that calls to
quitlines increased by 23.5% in 2009. After the tax, more whites, smokers 25
and older, smokers who started smoking more recently, those with less
education, and those who live with other smokers called the quitline. Quit
rates at seven months after registration did not differ before versus after
tax. Even with no increase in quit rates, the increase in call volume indicated
an increase in the total number of successful quitters. The authors conclude
that if revenue obtained from increased taxation on cigarettes was put into
cessation treatment, future tax increases would likely have an even greater
effect.
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