Abstract:
Tobacco taxes are one of the most effective policy interventions to reduce tobacco use Thai government increased tax rate of ex-factory price from 80% to 85% on May, 15, 2009 This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the impact of the tax increase on the smoking behavior and opinion on tax increase among daily smokers from four regions and Bangkok Samples were selected 504 daily smokers from data-based survey of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) who aged 15 year and over Data were collected by telephone interview during the first and second week of July, 2009 and analyzed with descriptive statistics The results revealed that after tobacco tax increase, it has impacted on quit rate of 9 7%, cigarette consumption reduction and changing type of 48 0%, and 7 5% shifted from cigarette to hand rolled 65 8% Indicated that tax increase has impacted on smoking behavior change High quit smoking occurred in young group (16-24 years) and elderly (60 years and over), and middle group Brand and type change have found highly among the elderly and low income smokers One un two of daily smokers agreed with tobacco tax increase Nevertheless, these smokers concerned with the impact of tax increase to illicit trade such as smuggling in, and counterfeit cigarette According to the result, the domestic tobacco tax should be increased two-third or three-fourth of retail price as the WHO suggestion and including the tax increase of hand rolled cigarette and imported cigarette in order to effectively reduce tobacco use At the same time, rigorously illicit trade control also be important The cessation service both in clinic and quitline should be provided adequately
TRC Data Center