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Smoking inequality across genders and socio-economic positions. Evidence from Italian data

Author

Listed:
  • Cinzia Novi

    (University of Pavia
    University of York
    National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Rowena Jacobs

    (University of York)

  • Matteo Migheli

    (University of Torino)

Abstract

There has been a dearth of literature on smoking inequalities, in spite of its contribution to health inequalities. We exploit Italian individual-level data from repeated cross-sections of the annual household survey, “Aspects of Daily Life,” that was part of the Multipurpose Survey carried out by the Italian National Statistical Office (ISTAT) for the period 1999–2012 to identify the main socio-demographic characteristics that determine smoking inequalities. We use the Concentration Index to identify in which groups smoking is relatively more prevalent. We find that, among men, pro-rich inequality is driven by members of the lower socio-economic positions, while we observe the opposite for women. We encourage policymakers to address the issue of smoking inequalities, which the current policies have largely disregarded.

Suggested Citation

  • Cinzia Novi & Rowena Jacobs & Matteo Migheli, 2020. "Smoking inequality across genders and socio-economic positions. Evidence from Italian data," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 177-203, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:22:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10818-020-09301-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-020-09301-9
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Chris Sampson’s journal round-up for 26th October 2020
      by Chris Sampson in The Academic Health Economists' Blog on 2020-10-26 12:00:03

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    2. Di Novi, Cinzia & Marenzi, Anna, 2019. "The smoking epidemic across generations, genders, and educational groups: A matter of diffusion of innovations," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 155-168.
    3. Schelleman-Offermans, Karen & Vieno, Alessio & Stevens, Gonneke W.J.M. & Kuntsche, Emmanuel, 2022. "Family affluence as a protective or risk factor for adolescent drunkenness in different countries and the role drinking motives play," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).

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