Public policies, tobacco taxes and tobacco consumption : evidence from Hong Kong
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Journal of Public Law and Policy
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Volume
2
Issue
3
First Page
215
Last Page
228
Keywords
Health, Hong Kong, Public policy, Smoking prevalence, Tobacco consumption, Tobacco control measures, Tobacco tax
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of statutory policies on the prevalence of smoking in Hong Kong from 1982 to 2010. Different public policy interventions, including tobacco excise duties, bans on tobacco advertising and restrictions of public smoking, are reviewed and their separate and combined effects are empirically measured. The results confirm that increasing the price of tobacco products through taxation is the most effective tool for reducing tobacco consumption. Moreover, the Hong Kong Government's comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and restrictions on public smoking had a significant and negative impact on smoking prevalence, while the influences of individual policy interventions are less obvious. These results suggest that a comprehensive tobacco control programme is an effective means of reducing tobacco consumption.
DOI
10.1504/IJPLAP.2012.047404
Print ISSN
20447663
E-ISSN
20447671
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Cheng, S. (2012). Public policies, tobacco taxes and tobacco consumption: Evidence from Hong Kong. International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2(3), 215-228. doi: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2012.047404