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Unemployment Rate, Smoking in China: Are They Related?

Author

Listed:
  • Qing Wang

    (School of Business, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China)

  • Jay J. Shen

    (School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89103, USA)

  • Chris Cochran

    (Department of Health Care Administration, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89103, USA)

Abstract

Background : Studies on the relationship between unemployment rate and smoking have yielded mixed results. The issue in China has not been studied. This study aims to examine the influence of unemployment rate on smoking in China. Methods : Logit model and two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation were used to estimate the effects. Estimations were done for 4585 individual over 45 using data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted in Zhejiang and Gansu provinces in 2008 and 2012. Results : A percent increase in the unemployment rate resulted in the increase in the likelihood of smoking by a combined 9.1 percent for those who smoked including a 2.9% increase for those who smoked 1–10 cigarettes per day; a 2.8% increase for those who smoked 11–20 cigarettes per day; and a 3.4% increase for those who smoked 20 cigarettes or more per day. The effects were stronger for those who were employed. Non-drinkers were more likely to engage in smoking with increased unemployment rate. 2SLS estimation revealed the same association. Conclusions : The unemployment rate was positively associated with smoking behavior. Smoking control and intervention strategies should focus on both the individual′s characteristics and the physical environment in which unemployment rate tend to rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Qing Wang & Jay J. Shen & Chris Cochran, 2016. "Unemployment Rate, Smoking in China: Are They Related?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:113-:d:61930
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tadao Ooka & Yuka Akiyama & Ryoji Shinohara & Hiroshi Yokomichi & Zentaro Yamagata, 2019. "Individual and Regional Characteristics Associated with Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy in Japan: Healthy Parents and Children 21," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Osama Alkouri & Yousef Khader & Ahmad M. Al-Bashaireh, 2022. "Prevalence of Cigarettes and Waterpipe Smoking among Jordanians, Refugees, and Migrants in Jordan and Its Associated Factors: A Secondary Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Seong-Uk Baek & Sung-Shil Lim & Jihyun Kim & Jin-Ha Yoon, 2019. "How Does Economic Inequality Affect Infanticide Rates? An Analysis of 15 Years of Death Records and Representative Economic Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.

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