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Comprehensive Indoor Smoking Bans and Smoking Prevalence: Evidence from the BRFSS

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas W. Carton

    (Louisiana Public Health Institute)

  • Michael Darden

    (Department of Economics, Tulane University)

  • John Levendis

    (Department of Economics, Loyola University New Orleans)

  • Sang H. Lee

    (School of Management and Business Administration, Southeastern Louisiana University)

  • Iben Ricket

    (Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center)

Abstract

In an effort to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, many governments have enacted smoke-free laws in public spaces. To the extent that smoke-free laws change perceptions, norms, and attitudes about tobacco use, these laws may also reduce the prevalence and intensity of cigarette consumption. Using nationally representative data on over four million individuals spanning 15 years, we study the average effect of comprehensive, state-level indoor smoking bans on smoking prevalence in the United States. Our research design exploits within-state variation in smoking prevalence, as well as the rapid diffusion of comprehensive bans across states between 2002 and 2010. Our results suggest that a comprehensive indoor smoking ban is associated with a 2.35 percent to 3.29 percent average reduction in smoking prevalence, a range that is robust to various specifications. These effects are roughly equivalent to a $0.95 to $1.33 increase in the average state’s cigarette tax in 2010. Finally, we demonstrate that state-level indoor bans in bars may significantly decrease smoking prevalence in specific subpopulations, particularly young, female, low-income, and binge-drinking individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas W. Carton & Michael Darden & John Levendis & Sang H. Lee & Iben Ricket, 2016. "Comprehensive Indoor Smoking Bans and Smoking Prevalence: Evidence from the BRFSS," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(4), pages 535-556, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:amjhec:v:2:y:2016:i:4:p:535-556
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    Cited by:

    1. Kajal Lahiri & Xian Li, 2020. "Smoking Behavior of Older Adults: A Panel Data Analysis Using HRS," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 18(3), pages 495-523, September.
    2. McGeary, Kerry Anne & Dave, Dhaval M. & Lipton, Brandy & Roeper, Timothy, 2019. "Impact of Comprehensive Smoking Bans on the Health of Infants and Children: Evidence from the U.S," IZA Discussion Papers 12194, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Michael E. Darden & Robert Kaestner, 2022. "Smoking, selection, and medical care expenditures," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 251-285, June.
    4. Galinato, Gregmar & Hong, Yeon A., 2018. "Tobacco Education Program Spending and Tobacco Use among Adolescents," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 43(3), September.
    5. Kerry Anne McGeary & Dhaval Dave & Brandy Lipton & Timothy Roeper, 2020. "Impact of Comprehensive Smoking Bans on the Health of Infants and Children," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 6(1), pages 1-38.
    6. Michael A. Catalano & Donna B. Gilleskie, 2021. "Impacts of local public smoking bans on smoking behaviors and tobacco smoke exposure," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(8), pages 1719-1744, August.
    7. repec:ejw:journl:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:129-157 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Steffens, Camila & Pereda, Paula Carvalho, 2025. "Dynamic responses to smoking bans: Evidence from young adults in a developing country," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    9. Hajdu, Tamás & Hajdu, Gábor, 2018. "Smoking ban and health at birth: Evidence from Hungary," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 37-47.
    10. Hansoo Ko, 2020. "The effect of outdoor smoking ban: Evidence from Korea," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(3), pages 278-293, March.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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