Economic interventions
Effective economic interventions make a real difference to tobacco prevalence and consumption, and associated health outcomes. Most of the documented successes have occurred in developed countries where effective approaches have been implemented for several years. In more recent years, several developing countries have introduced similar measures. Early indications are that they too will be effective,
Evidence from countries of all income levels shows that price increases on cigarettes are highly effective in reducing demand. Higher taxes induce some smokers to quit and prevent others individuals from starting. They also reduce the number of ex-users who return to tobacco and reduce consumption among continuing users. On average, a price rise of 10 percent on a pack of cigarettes would be expected to reduce demand for cigarettes by about 4 percent in high-income countries and by about 8 percent in low- and middle-income countries, where lower incomes tend to make people more responsive to price changes. Children and adolescents are more responsive to price rises than older adults, so this intervention would have a significant impact on them.
Action against smuggling is key to an effective strategy for tobacco control. Effective measures include prominent tax stamps and local-language warnings on cigarette packs, as well as the aggressive enforcement and consistent application of tough penalties to deter smugglers. Tight controls on smuggling improve governments' revenue yields from tobacco tax increases.
Advertising and promotion bans work! The World Bank concludes that comprehensive bans on advertising and promotion can reduce the demand for tobacco..
There is evidence that many smokers are not fully aware of the high risks of disease and premature death that their choice entails. In low- and middle-income countries, many smokers may simply not know about these risks. Smoking is usually started in adolescence or early adulthood. Even when they have been given information, young people do not always have the capacity to use it to make sound decisions. Young people may be less aware than adults of the risk to their health that smoking poses. Most new recruits and would-be smokers also underestimate the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.
There is extensive evidence from high-income countries that the provision of information to adult consumers about the addictive nature of tobacco and its burden of fatal and disabling diseases can reduce their consumption of cigarettes. "Information shocks," such as the publication of research studies with significant new information on the health effects of smoking, and health warnings reduce demand.
Smoking restrictions clearly benefit nonsmokers, and there is also some evidence that they can reduce smoking intensity and prevalence.