Open AccessChanges to smoking habits and addiction following tobacco excise tax increases: a comparison of Māori, Pacific and New Zealand European smokers
Author(s) -
Tucker Megan R.,
Kivell Bronwyn M.,
Laugesen Murray,
Grace Randolph C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12603
Subject(s) - excise , addiction , tobacco control , demography , medicine , public health , environmental health , political science , psychiatry , sociology , nursing , law
Abstract Objective: To compare changes in smoking habit and psychological addiction in Māori/Pacific and NZ European smokers in response to two annual excise tax increases from 2012 to 2014. Methods: Smokers from New Zealand cities completed questionnaires at three time points before and after two excise tax increases. Results: There were no significant differences in cigarettes per day or psychological addiction at baseline, but a linear decline in both measures was observed in Māori/Pacific and NZ European smokers. Cigarettes per day reduced at a greater rate for Māori/Pacific than NZ European smokers but dependence did not. Conclusion: Results indicated that Māori/Pacific smokers’ demand for cigarettes may be more price sensitive than NZ European smokers. Implications for Public Health: Tobacco excise tax may be particularly effective for Māori/Pacific smokers and may contribute to reductions in smoking‐related health inequalities in NZ.