Background: This study uses cigarette price elasticity to evaluate the effect of a new excise tax increase on cigarette consumption and to investigate responses from various types of smokers.

This paper empirically identifies cross-price elasticities of betel nut and cigarette consumption in Taiwan based on the Central Bureau of Statistics demand model. It compares reduction of cigarette consumption as a result of the proposed Betel Nut Health Tax with reduction of betel nut consumption as a result of the Tobacco Health and Welfare Taxes levied in 2002 and 2006, in order to determine which tax is most effective. Results from a simulated comparative analysis indicate that the Betel Nut Health Tax reduces cigarette consumption to a much greater extent than the Tobacco Health and Welfare Taxes reduce betel nut consumption.

Background: This study evaluates the impact of an increase in cigarette tax in Taiwan in terms of the effects it has on the overall economy and the health benefits that it brings.

No abstract

Growing Asian international tourism has been significant and helpful for economic improvement in the 21st century. It is argued that the decision regarding destination choice for international tourists would be influenced by the exchange rates among origin and destination countries over time. This paper applies the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model to examine the asymmetric effects of exchange rate on international tourism consumption in eight Asian countries by using monthly data over the period of January 2001-July 2007. Empirical results have shown dynamic nature of log-difference exchange rate on log-difference of international tourism. There are growth rate adjustments of international tourist arrivals to exchange rate growth within 0.35%~0.64%. Currency of destination country appreciated relatively to currency of origin country is harmful to the international tourism business in destination country and vice versa.