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Geoffrey T Fong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Association between tax structure and cigarette consumption: findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation (ITC) Project.
Tobacco control, 2018Co-Authors: Ce Shang, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, Hye Myung Lee, Frank J. Chaloupka, Richard J. O'connorAbstract:Background Recent studies show that greater price variability and more opportunities for tax avoidance are associated with tax structures that depart from a specific uniform one. These findings indicate that tax structures other than a specific uniform one may lead to more cigarette consumption. Objective This paper aims to examine how cigarette tax structure is associated with cigarette consumption. Methods We used survey data taken from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project in 17 countries to conduct the analysis. Self-reported cigarette consumption was aggregated to average measures for each surveyed country and wave. The effect of tax structures on cigarette consumption was estimated using generalised estimating equations after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, average taxes and year fixed effects. Findings Our study provides important empirical evidence of a relationship between tax structure and cigarette consumption. We find that a change from a specific to an ad valorem structure is associated with a 6%–11% higher cigarette consumption. In addition, a change from uniform to tiered structure is associated with a 34%–65% higher cigarette consumption. The results are consistent with existing evidence and suggest that a uniform and specific tax structure is the most effective tax structure for reducing tobacco consumption.
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cigarette tax avoidance and evasion findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation itc project
Tobacco Control, 2014Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Frank J. Chaloupka, Pete Driezen, Emmanuel G GuindonAbstract:Background Decades of research have produced overwhelming evidence that tobacco taxes reduce tobacco use and increase government tax revenue. The magnitude and effectiveness of taxes in reducing tobacco use provide an incentive for tobacco users, manufacturers and others, most notably criminal networks, to devise ways to avoid or evade tobacco taxes. Consequently, tobacco tax avoidance and tax evasion can reduce the public health and fiscal benefit of tobacco taxes. Objectives First, this study aims to document, using data from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC), levels and trends in cigarette users’ tax avoidance and tax evasion behaviour in a sample of 16 low-, middle- and high-income countries. Second, this study explores factors associated with cigarette tax avoidance and evasion. Methods We used data from ITC surveys conducted in 16 countries to estimate the extent and type of cigarette tax avoidance/evasion between countries and across time. We used self-reported information about the source of a smoker9s last purchase of cigarettes or self-reported packaging information, or similar information gathered by the interviewers during face-to-face interviews to measure tax avoidance/evasion behaviours. We used generalised estimating equations to explore individual-level factors that may affect the likelihood of cigarette tax avoidance or evasion in Canada, the USA, the UK and France. Findings We found prevalence estimates of cigarette tax avoidance/evasion vary substantially between countries and across time. In Canada, France and the UK, more than 10% of smokers reported last purchasing cigarettes from low or untaxed sources, while in Malaysia some prevalence estimates suggested substantial cigarette tax avoidance/evasion. We also found important associations between household income and education and the likelihood to engage in tax avoidance/evasion. These associations, however, varied both in direction and magnitude across countries.
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the distribution of cigarette prices under different tax structures findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation itc project
Tobacco Control, 2014Co-Authors: Ce Shang, Geoffrey T Fong, Frank J. Chaloupka, Nahleen ZahraAbstract:Background The distribution of cigarette prices has rarely been studied and compared under different tax structures. Descriptive evidence on price distributions by countries can shed light on opportunities for tax avoidance and brand switching under different tobacco tax structures, which could impact the effectiveness of increased taxation in reducing smoking. Objective This paper aims to describe the distribution of cigarette prices by countries and to compare these distributions based on the tobacco tax structure in these countries. Methods We employed data for 16 countries taken from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project to construct survey-derived cigarette prices for each country. Self-reported prices were weighted by cigarette consumption and described using a comprehensive set of statistics. We then compared these statistics for cigarette prices under different tax structures. In particular, countries of similar income levels and countries that impose similar total excise taxes using different tax structures were paired and compared in mean and variance using a two-sample comparison test. Findings Our investigation illustrates that, compared with specific uniform taxation, other tax structures, such as ad valorem uniform taxation, mixed (a tax system using ad valorem and specific taxes) uniform taxation, and tiered tax structures of specific, ad valorem and mixed taxation tend to have price distributions with greater variability. Countries that rely heavily on ad valorem and tiered taxes also tend to have greater price variability around the median. Among mixed taxation systems, countries that rely more heavily on the ad valorem component tend to have greater price variability than countries that rely more heavily on the specific component. In countries with tiered tax systems, cigarette prices are skewed more towards lower prices than are prices under uniform tax systems. The analyses presented here demonstrate that more opportunities exist for tax avoidance and brand switching when the tax structure departs from a uniform specific tax.
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impact of national smoke free legislation on home smoking bans findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation project europe surveys
Tobacco Control, 2013Co-Authors: Ute Mons, Geoffrey T Fong, Gera E Nagelhout, Shane Allwright, Romain Guignard, Bas Van Den Putte, Marc C Willemsen, Hermann Brenner, Martina PotschkelangerAbstract:Objectives To measure changes in prevalence and predictors of home smoking bans (HSBs) among smokers in four European countries after the implementation of national smoke-free legislation. Design Two waves of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project Europe Surveys, which is a prospective panel study. Pre- and post-legislation data were used from Ireland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Two pre-legislation waves from the UK were used as control. Participants 4634 respondents from the intervention countries and 1080 from the control country completed both baseline and follow-up and were included in the present analyses. Methods Multiple logistic regression models to identify predictors of having or of adopting a total HSB, and Generalised Estimating Equation models to compare patterns of change after implementation of smoke-free legislation to a control country without such legislation. Results Most smokers had at least partial smoking restrictions in their home, but the proportions varied significantly between countries. After implementation of national smoke-free legislation, the proportion of smokers with a total HSB increased significantly in all four countries. Among continuing smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked per day either remained stable or decreased significantly. Multiple logistic regression models indicated that having a young child in the household and supporting smoking bans in bars were important correlates of having a pre-legislation HSB. Prospective predictors of imposing a HSB between survey waves were planning to quit smoking, supporting a total smoking ban in bars and the birth of a child. Generalised Estimating Equation models indicated that the change in total HSB in the intervention countries was greater than that in the control country. Conclusions The findings suggest that smoke-free legislation does not lead to more smoking in smokers9 homes. On the contrary, our findings demonstrate that smoke-free legislation may stimulate smokers to establish total smoking bans in their homes.
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cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the international tobacco control itc Policy Evaluation surveys
Addiction, 2012Co-Authors: Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, David Hammond, Ute Mons, Marc C Willemsen, Pete Driezen, Nick Wilson, Ann Mcneill, James F ThrasherAbstract:Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the InternationalTobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Participants Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Measurements Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provisionof advicetoquitalsovariedgreatly.Therewasalsomarkedvariabilityinthelevelsandtypesof helpreported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.
Mary E Thompson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Association between tax structure and cigarette consumption: findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation (ITC) Project.
Tobacco control, 2018Co-Authors: Ce Shang, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, Hye Myung Lee, Frank J. Chaloupka, Richard J. O'connorAbstract:Background Recent studies show that greater price variability and more opportunities for tax avoidance are associated with tax structures that depart from a specific uniform one. These findings indicate that tax structures other than a specific uniform one may lead to more cigarette consumption. Objective This paper aims to examine how cigarette tax structure is associated with cigarette consumption. Methods We used survey data taken from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project in 17 countries to conduct the analysis. Self-reported cigarette consumption was aggregated to average measures for each surveyed country and wave. The effect of tax structures on cigarette consumption was estimated using generalised estimating equations after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, average taxes and year fixed effects. Findings Our study provides important empirical evidence of a relationship between tax structure and cigarette consumption. We find that a change from a specific to an ad valorem structure is associated with a 6%–11% higher cigarette consumption. In addition, a change from uniform to tiered structure is associated with a 34%–65% higher cigarette consumption. The results are consistent with existing evidence and suggest that a uniform and specific tax structure is the most effective tax structure for reducing tobacco consumption.
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cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the international tobacco control itc Policy Evaluation surveys
Addiction, 2012Co-Authors: Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, David Hammond, Ute Mons, Marc C Willemsen, Pete Driezen, Nick Wilson, Ann Mcneill, James F ThrasherAbstract:Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the InternationalTobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Participants Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Measurements Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provisionof advicetoquitalsovariedgreatly.Therewasalsomarkedvariabilityinthelevelsandtypesof helpreported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.
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The conceptual framework of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project
Tobacco Control, 2006Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Gerard Hastings, A Hyland, K. M. Cummings, Ron Borland, Gary A Giovino, David Hammond, Mary E ThompsonAbstract:This paper describes the conceptual model that underlies the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project), whose mission is to measure the psychosocial and behavioural impact of key policies of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) among adult smokers, and in some countries, among adult non-smokers and among youth. The Evaluation framework utilises multiple country controls, a longitudinal design, and a pre-specified, theory-driven conceptual model to test hypotheses about the anticipated effects of specific policies. The ITC Project consists of parallel prospective cohort surveys of representative samples of adult smokers currently in nine countries (inhabited by over 45% of the world’s smokers), with other countries being added in the future. Collectively, the ITC Surveys constitute the first-ever international cohort study of tobacco use. The conceptual model of the ITC Project draws on the psychosocial and health communication literature and assumes that tobacco control policies influence tobacco related behaviours through a causal chain of psychological events, with some variables more closely related to the Policy itself (Policy-specific variables) and other variables that are more downstream from the Policy, which have been identified by health behaviour and social psychological theories as being important causal precursors of behaviour (psychosocial mediators). We discuss the objectives of the ITC Project and its potential for building the evidence base for the FCTC.
Ron Borland - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the international tobacco control itc Policy Evaluation surveys
Addiction, 2012Co-Authors: Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, David Hammond, Ute Mons, Marc C Willemsen, Pete Driezen, Nick Wilson, Ann Mcneill, James F ThrasherAbstract:Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the InternationalTobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Participants Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Measurements Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provisionof advicetoquitalsovariedgreatly.Therewasalsomarkedvariabilityinthelevelsandtypesof helpreported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.
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The conceptual framework of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project
Tobacco Control, 2006Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Gerard Hastings, A Hyland, K. M. Cummings, Ron Borland, Gary A Giovino, David Hammond, Mary E ThompsonAbstract:This paper describes the conceptual model that underlies the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project), whose mission is to measure the psychosocial and behavioural impact of key policies of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) among adult smokers, and in some countries, among adult non-smokers and among youth. The Evaluation framework utilises multiple country controls, a longitudinal design, and a pre-specified, theory-driven conceptual model to test hypotheses about the anticipated effects of specific policies. The ITC Project consists of parallel prospective cohort surveys of representative samples of adult smokers currently in nine countries (inhabited by over 45% of the world’s smokers), with other countries being added in the future. Collectively, the ITC Surveys constitute the first-ever international cohort study of tobacco use. The conceptual model of the ITC Project draws on the psychosocial and health communication literature and assumes that tobacco control policies influence tobacco related behaviours through a causal chain of psychological events, with some variables more closely related to the Policy itself (Policy-specific variables) and other variables that are more downstream from the Policy, which have been identified by health behaviour and social psychological theories as being important causal precursors of behaviour (psychosocial mediators). We discuss the objectives of the ITC Project and its potential for building the evidence base for the FCTC.
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the near universal experience of regret among smokers in four countries findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation survey
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2004Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Ron Borland, David Hammond, Fritz L Laux, Mark P Zanna, Michael K Cummings, Hana RossAbstract:Regret may be a key variable in understanding the experience of smokers, the vast majority of whom continue to smoke while desiring to quit. We present data from the baseline wave (October–December 2002) of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey, a random-digit-dialed telephone survey of a cohort of over 8,000 adult smokers across four countries—Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—to estimate the prevalence of regret and to identify its predictors. The proportion of smokers who agreed or agreed strongly with the statement ‘‘If you had to do it over again, you would not have started smoking’’ was extremely high—about 90%— and nearly identical across the four countries. Regret was more likely to be experienced by older smokers, women, those who had tried to quit more often, those who perceived quitting as conferring benefits, those with higher levels of perceived addiction, those who worried about future damage to health, those who perceived smoking as lowering their quality of life, those who perceived higher monetary costs of smoking, and those who believed that smoking is not socially acceptable. This predictive model was the same in all four countries. Regret is thus a near-universal experience among smokers in all four countries, and the factors that predict regret are universal across these four countries. Among other implications for cessation treatment and smoking prevention, this near universality of regret casts doubt on the view of some Policy analysts and economists that the decisions to take up and continue smoking are welfare-maximizing for the consumer.
David Hammond - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the international tobacco control itc Policy Evaluation surveys
Addiction, 2012Co-Authors: Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, David Hammond, Ute Mons, Marc C Willemsen, Pete Driezen, Nick Wilson, Ann Mcneill, James F ThrasherAbstract:Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the InternationalTobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Participants Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Measurements Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provisionof advicetoquitalsovariedgreatly.Therewasalsomarkedvariabilityinthelevelsandtypesof helpreported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.
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The conceptual framework of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project
Tobacco Control, 2006Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Gerard Hastings, A Hyland, K. M. Cummings, Ron Borland, Gary A Giovino, David Hammond, Mary E ThompsonAbstract:This paper describes the conceptual model that underlies the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project), whose mission is to measure the psychosocial and behavioural impact of key policies of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) among adult smokers, and in some countries, among adult non-smokers and among youth. The Evaluation framework utilises multiple country controls, a longitudinal design, and a pre-specified, theory-driven conceptual model to test hypotheses about the anticipated effects of specific policies. The ITC Project consists of parallel prospective cohort surveys of representative samples of adult smokers currently in nine countries (inhabited by over 45% of the world’s smokers), with other countries being added in the future. Collectively, the ITC Surveys constitute the first-ever international cohort study of tobacco use. The conceptual model of the ITC Project draws on the psychosocial and health communication literature and assumes that tobacco control policies influence tobacco related behaviours through a causal chain of psychological events, with some variables more closely related to the Policy itself (Policy-specific variables) and other variables that are more downstream from the Policy, which have been identified by health behaviour and social psychological theories as being important causal precursors of behaviour (psychosocial mediators). We discuss the objectives of the ITC Project and its potential for building the evidence base for the FCTC.
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the near universal experience of regret among smokers in four countries findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation survey
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2004Co-Authors: Geoffrey T Fong, Ron Borland, David Hammond, Fritz L Laux, Mark P Zanna, Michael K Cummings, Hana RossAbstract:Regret may be a key variable in understanding the experience of smokers, the vast majority of whom continue to smoke while desiring to quit. We present data from the baseline wave (October–December 2002) of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey, a random-digit-dialed telephone survey of a cohort of over 8,000 adult smokers across four countries—Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—to estimate the prevalence of regret and to identify its predictors. The proportion of smokers who agreed or agreed strongly with the statement ‘‘If you had to do it over again, you would not have started smoking’’ was extremely high—about 90%— and nearly identical across the four countries. Regret was more likely to be experienced by older smokers, women, those who had tried to quit more often, those who perceived quitting as conferring benefits, those with higher levels of perceived addiction, those who worried about future damage to health, those who perceived smoking as lowering their quality of life, those who perceived higher monetary costs of smoking, and those who believed that smoking is not socially acceptable. This predictive model was the same in all four countries. Regret is thus a near-universal experience among smokers in all four countries, and the factors that predict regret are universal across these four countries. Among other implications for cessation treatment and smoking prevention, this near universality of regret casts doubt on the view of some Policy analysts and economists that the decisions to take up and continue smoking are welfare-maximizing for the consumer.
James F Thrasher - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cessation assistance reported by smokers in 15 countries participating in the international tobacco control itc Policy Evaluation surveys
Addiction, 2012Co-Authors: Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Mary E Thompson, David Hammond, Ute Mons, Marc C Willemsen, Pete Driezen, Nick Wilson, Ann Mcneill, James F ThrasherAbstract:Aims To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support. Design Use of the InternationalTobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary). Settings Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States. Participants Samples of smokers from 15 countries. Measurements Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits. Findings Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provisionof advicetoquitalsovariedgreatly.Therewasalsomarkedvariabilityinthelevelsandtypesof helpreported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available. Conclusions There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.
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smoke free policies and the social acceptability of smoking in uruguay and mexico findings from the international tobacco control Policy Evaluation project
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2009Co-Authors: James F Thrasher, Marcelo Boado, Ernesto M Sebrie, Eduardo BiancoAbstract:INTRODUCTION Little research has been conducted to determine the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of smoke-free policies in middle-income countries. METHODS Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the 2006 waves of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation. Survey comparing adult smokers in Mexico (n = 1,080), where smoke-free legislation at that time was weak, and Uruguay (n = 1,002), where comprehensive smoke-free legislation was implemented. Analyses aimed to determine whether exposure to smoke-free policies and perceived antismoking social norms were associated with smokers' receiving cues about the bothersome nature of secondhand smoke (SHS), with smokers' reactance against such cues, and with smokers' level of support for smoke-free policies in different venues. RESULTS In bivariate analyses, Uruguayan smokers were more likely than Mexican smokers to experience verbal anti-SHS cues, lower reactance against anti-SHS cues, stronger antismoking societal norms, and stronger support for 100% smoke-free policies in enclosed workplaces, restaurants, and bars. In multivariate models for both countries, the strength of voluntary smoke-free policies at home was independently associated with support for smoke-free policies across all venues queried, except for in bars among Uruguayans. Perceived strength of familial antismoking norms was consistently associated with all indicators of the social acceptability of smoking in Uruguay but only with the frequency of receiving anti-SHS verbal cues in Mexico. DISCUSSION These results are generally consistent with previous research indicating that comprehensive smoke-free policies are likely to increase the social unacceptability of smoking and that resistance against such policies is likely to diminish once such policies are in place.
