Saudi Smokers&amp;#39; Behaviors After a 100% Tax Increase

Alqarni, Ahmed Mohammed

doi:10.5539/ijms.v11n1p150

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…It was also found that most of the participants started smoking from the age of 18 years. Alqarni 15 also had determined that most people acquire the habit of smoking during adolescence. As per the current analysis, there is a significant association between the number of cigarettes consumed in a day and the intention to quit smoking.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Aljuaid

Almarshad

Almutairi

et al. 2020

SMJ

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Objectives: The current research aims to study the impact of raising tobacco tax and implementation of plain packaging on male smokers' quitting intentions in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study adopts a quantitative approach where close-ended questionnaires are distributed among 1,015 male participants from different regions of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis are conducted using SPSS software to analyze the collected primary data. Results: The study found a significant association of taxation and plain packaging on the quitting intentions of smokers. On taxation, while a considerable number of participants (46.5%) stated Original Article that they would not quit smoking if the cigarette prices increased, participants who were planning to give up smoking said it would strengthen their intention (p<0.001). In addition, logistic regression was performed to identify the independent predictors of quitting intention. Participants who did not want to apply the concept of plain packaging to Saudi Arabia were more likely to have quitting intention (odds ratio: 2.30 [1.61-3.28]) in comparison to those who wanted to apply the concept. Conclusion: Although the current price of cigarette packs reported to be very high by the participants, imposing a new higher tax may motivate smokers who had plans to quit in the near future. Plain packaging seems to be an effective new strategy in addition to tobacco taxation in Saudi Arabia, yet, more time and further research are required to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Aljuaid

Almarshad

Almutairi

et al. 2020

SMJ

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“…The current price of a packet of cigarettes, 25.1 SAR (6.69 USD) is considered low according to two evaluations conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and 2020. 34 , 37 By comparison, the price per pack (in US$) was $12.37 in the United Kingdom, $9.39 in France, $9.15 in Canada in 2018, 20 and $6.86 in the United States (US) in 2013. The US is the fourth largest tobacco producing country in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control in the US.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The WHO recommends that the excise tax be equivalent to 70% of the total price of the cigarette sale price. 18 , 37 In addition, growth in real individual income must be taken into account in order to minimize individual affordability to purchase cigarettes. 18 Regular pricing adjustments through specific excise levies will allow the government to create tailored anti-tobacco price and tax regimes that will improve the efficiency of national smoking curtailment practices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of taxation policy on tobacco consumption in Saudi Arabia

Alotaibi¹,

Al‐Sanea

2022

Ann Saudi Med

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BACKGROUND: Taxes on tobacco products that increase the price and target demand-reduction have been shown to be an efficient means of reducing tobacco consumption. A new policy introduced in 2017 has increased the price of a 20-cigarette pack of the most popular brand to 27.50 SAR (7.33 USD) with the tax portion being 68.09%, which is within the yardstick recommended by the World Bank. OBJECTIVE: Assess impact of taxes on cigarette consumption. DESIGN: Retrospective econometric analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The annual importation of cigarettes containing tobacco (commodity code 24022000) in metric tons (as a proxy measure of consumption). METHODS: An econometric analysis of cigarette prices and consumption was performed using the methods of the World Bank Economics of Tobacco Toolkit. The impact was assessed statistically through price elasticity of cigarette demand. The study used yearly data for the period 2013-2019 to compare the price elasticity of demand according to the change in price. Cigarette consumption was equated to cigarette imports (dependent variable), and correlation with the cigarette price, income, education, and unemployment was assessed as independent variables of interest. RESULTS: Annual importation of cigarettes declined by 27.41% for the period 2013-2019 after the imposition of ad valorem and value-added taxes in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The price of a pack of cigarettes increased by 115.1% from 2016 to 2018. The per capita consumption was inversely correlated with price * P =.0003285, r=-0.969). The inverse correlation between income and per capita consumption was also statistically significant ( P =.025, r=-0.816). Education did not correlate with per capita consumption (P=.740, r=-0.155), but unemployment was inversely correlated ( P =.008, r=-0.884). From 2016 to 2018, the price elasticity of demand became negative with respect to income as recommended by the World Health Organization. The price elasticity of demand reached -0.07, -0.8, -0.93 in 2016, 2017, 2018, respectively. CONCLUSION: The modification of tax policy in 2017 has resulted in a decrease in both cigarette affordability and consumption. An additional 42.67% increase in the price, or pack price of 35.81 SAR (9.54 USD) might offset the increase in individual income noted in 2019 and maintain the decreased affordability. LIMITATIONS: The lack of more granular data on cigarette sales and more reliable data on prevalence. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

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“…Thus, Saudi Arabia ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and enforced a tobacco taxation policy in the second quarter of 2017, with a total tax of 100% (16,17). However, only a few studies have been conducted to evaluate how taxation affects smoking habits demonstrating the effect of policies promoted by such a program (15,(18)(19)(20); this is due to the lack of adequate empirical research on the effect of tobacco taxes on smoking cessation in the Saudi Arabian context. Nevertheless, such studies have been conducted in other parts of the world (especially in the developed Western World).…”

Section: Relative Effectiveness Of Tobacco Taxationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tobacco Taxation Influences the Smoking Habits of Adult Smokers Attending Smoking Cessation Clinic in Saudi Arabia

Altowiher

Bustami

Alwadey

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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ObjectivesTo determine whether the increased tobacco price due to tax implementation on tobacco products (including cigarettes) has a significant effect on smoking cessation among Saudi Arabian adult smokers.MethodsAn interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from adult Saudi smokers and recent quitters attending smoking cessation clinics between January 2018 and September 2019. The responses of the participants were summarized and analyzed.ResultsIn total, 660 participants were interviewed, of which 98% were men who resided in the western region (33%). Taxation had no effect on smoking in 387 participants [58.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 54.9, 62.4], some effect in 220 participants (33.3%; 95% CI: 29.7, 36.9), and a substantial effect in 50 participants (7.6%; 95% CI: 5.6, 9.6). Strategies adopted to cope with the tax implementation included cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked (302; 45.8%), changing to a cheaper brand of cigarette (151; 22.9%), purchasing in bulk (105; 15.9%), attempting to quit (453; 68.6%), and doing nothing (108; 16.4%). The rate of quitting smoking after attending the clinic was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.7, 23.9). Occupation (P = 0.003), education (P = 0.03), and current smoking habit (P = 0.07) were significantly associated with the impact of tobacco taxation. The strategies adopted in response to tax implementation on cigarettes were significantly associated with occupation (χ2 = 30, degrees of freedom = 12, P < 0.001).ConclusionsTobacco taxation influenced 40% of the participants. Their attempts to opt for alternatives should be recognized in evaluating policies to reduce adverse health impacts caused by tobacco abuse.

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Saudi Smokers' Behaviors After a 100% Tax Increase

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Taxation and tobacco plain packaging effect on Saudi smokers quitting intentions in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Impact of taxation policy on tobacco consumption in Saudi Arabia

Tobacco Taxation Influences the Smoking Habits of Adult Smokers Attending Smoking Cessation Clinic in Saudi Arabia

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