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Flavorants and addiction: An empirical analysis of cigarette bans and taxation

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  • Chen, Jiawei
  • Reinhardt, Colin

Abstract

We evaluate the proposed FDA menthol cigarette ban using aggregate-level retail data and micro-level household data. The model incorporates addiction and household heterogeneity, with a focus on low-income households and the Black community, who consume menthol cigarettes the most. The ban reduces cigarette usage by 12.6% and the Black smoking rate by 35%, while demand for e-cigarettes and cessation products increases by 4.9% and 1.7%, respectively. A $1.02-per-pack cigarette sales tax is as effective as the menthol cigarette ban in reducing cigarette usage, while resulting in a smaller reduction in consumer surplus across most demographic groups, especially Black Americans. Including non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes in the ban reduces cigarette consumption similarly, while e-cigarette usage decreases by 46%.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Jiawei & Reinhardt, Colin, 2025. "Flavorants and addiction: An empirical analysis of cigarette bans and taxation," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:99:y:2025:i:c:s0167718725000141
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2025.103147
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco

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