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The Effectiveness of Cigarette Regulations in Reducing Cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

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  • Sara Markowitz

Abstract

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a leading cause of mortality among infants and is responsible for thousands of infant deaths every year. Prenatal smoking and postnatal environmental smoke have been identified as strong risk factors for SIDS. Given the link between smoking and SIDS, this paper examines the direct effects of cigarette prices, taxes and clean indoor air laws in explaining changes in the incidence of SIDS over time in the United States. State-level counts of SIDS cases are generated from death certificates for 1973 to 2003. After controlling for some observed and unobserved confounding factors, the results show that higher cigarette prices and taxes are associated with reductions in SIDS cases. Stronger restrictions on smoking in restaurants and child care centers are also effective in reducing SIDS deaths.

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  • Sara Markowitz, 2006. "The Effectiveness of Cigarette Regulations in Reducing Cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome," NBER Working Papers 12527, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:12527
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    Cited by:

    1. Eiji Yamamura, 2014. "Smokers’ Sexual Behavior and Their Satisfaction with Family Life," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(3), pages 1229-1247, September.
    2. Hope Corman & Dhaval Dave & Nancy E. Reichman, 2018. "Evolution of the Infant Health Production Function," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 85(1), pages 6-47, July.
    3. Vinish Shrestha, 2019. "Cigarette Prices and Driving Fatalities Among Youths," Working Papers 2019-02, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Aug 2019.
    4. Rahi Abouk & Scott Adams & Bo Feng & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Michael F. Pesko, 2023. "The effect of e‐cigarette taxes on pre‐pregnancy and prenatal smoking," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(4), pages 908-940, September.
    5. Jia Gao & Reagan A. Baughman, 2017. "Do Smoking Bans Improve Infant Health? Evidence from U.S. Births: 1995–2009," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 43(3), pages 472-495, June.
    6. Vinish Shrestha, 2025. "Revisiting the effects of cigarette taxation on smoking outcomes," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(3), pages 1429-1475, March.
    7. Christian King & Sara Markowitz & Hana Ross, 2015. "Tobacco Control Policies and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Developed Nations," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(8), pages 1042-1048, August.
    8. Sara Markowitz & E. Kathleen Adams & Patricia M. Dietz & Viji Kannan & Van Tong, 2011. "Smoking Policies and Birth Outcomes: Estimates From a New Era," NBER Working Papers 17160, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Shrestha, Vinish, 2019. "Cigarette prices and driving fatalities among youths," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    10. Michael Cooper & Michael F. Pesko, 2024. "The effect of E‐cigarette indoor vaping restrictions on infant mortality," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 91(1), pages 278-321, July.
    11. Brad R. Humphreys & Jane E. Ruseski & Li Zhou, 2025. "Why is Maternal Smoking in Appalachia Pervasive?," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 51(1), pages 144-163, January.
    12. Leah K. Lakdawala & David Simon, 2016. "The Intergenerational Consequences of Tobacco Policy," Working papers 2016-27, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
    13. Cil, Gulcan, 2017. "Effects of posted point-of-sale warnings on alcohol consumption during pregnancy and on birth outcomes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 131-155.
    14. Park, Mingyeong & Son, Hyelim, 2025. "Intensity Matters: Heterogeneous impact of cigarette tax reform on drinking behaviors by smoking intensity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 375(C).
    15. Settele, Sonja & Ewijk, Reyn van, 2018. "Can cigarette taxes during pregnancy mitigate the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 130-148.
    16. Leah K. Lakdawala & David Simon, 2017. "The Intergenerational Consequences of Tobacco Policy: A Review of Policy's Influence on Maternal Smoking and Child Health," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 84(1), pages 229-274, July.
    17. Sara Markowitz & E. Kathleen Adams & Patricia M. Dietz & Viji Kannan & Van T. Tong, 2013. "Tobacco Control Policies, Birth Outcomes, and Maternal Human Capital," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 7(2), pages 130-160.
    18. Resul Cesur & Inas Rashad Kelly, 2014. "Who Pays The Bar Tab? Beer Consumption And Economic Growth In The United States," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 52(1), pages 477-494, January.
    19. Deliana Kostova & Evan Blecher, 2013. "Does Advertising Matter? Estimating The Impact Of Cigarette Advertising On Smoking Among Youth In Developing Countries," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 31(3), pages 537-548, July.
    20. Hajdu, Tamás & Hajdu, Gábor, 2018. "Smoking ban and health at birth: Evidence from Hungary," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 37-47.
    21. Engy Ziedan & Robert Kaestner, 2024. "Effect of prescription opioid control policies on infant health," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 90(4), pages 828-877, April.
    22. Pareto, Marcos Pompeu, 2008. "The Health Care Crisis in the United States: The Issues and Proposed Solutions by the 2008 Presidential Candidates," MPRA Paper 9293, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    23. Sen, Bisakha & Wingate, Martha Slay & Kirby, Russell, 2012. "The relationship between state abortion-restrictions and homicide deaths among children under 5 years of age: A longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 156-164.

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