Heavy smokers cut back dramatically

Overall, the price of cigarettes increased from $3.96 per pack in 2001 to $4.41 per pack in 2004, largely due to increasing state taxes. To determine how these price increases affected smoking habits, the researchers examined each state separately. They found that the more cigarette prices went up, the more smokers cut back on cigarette consumption.

The researchers defined a heavier smoker as someone who smokes two packs (40 cigarettes) or more per day, and a lighter smoker as someone who smokes an average of one pack (20 cigarettes) per day. Based on the national statistics, heavy smokers would be expected to cut back on their daily cigarette consumption by 11, while lighter smokers would be expected to cut back by two per day. But in states that experienced a 35 percent of greater increase in cigarette taxes, heavy smokers reduced their average daily cigarette consumption by 14, a decrease of 35 percent. Lighter smokers in such states reduced their average daily consumption by only three cigarettes, or 15 percent.

The researchers tested to see if factors other than taxes might account for the drop in cigarette consumption, but found none of them to be significant. They noted that some of these factors might have contributed to the discrepancy between heavy and lighter smokers, however. For example, heavier smokers probably experience more social pressure and more severe health consequences to smoking, both of which may contribute to the decision to cut back.

Unfortunately, Cavazos-Rehg pointed out, reducing cigarette consumption is not nearly as good for your health as quitting altogether.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038225_cigarette_taxes_smoking_behavior.html#ixzz2ll7jlIkd