The price of tobacco and its effects on smoking behaviors in Korea: The 2015 Korea Community Health Survey
Publication Source
Han, M.A.
2019
Publication Title
Preventive Medicine
Publication Type
Journal article
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of the price of tobacco on smoking behaviors in Korean adult smokers using a
population-based survey. Current smokers or former smokers who quit smoking<1 year prior to the survey were selected from the data of 2015 Korea Community Health Survey (N=45,686). The effects of the price of tobacco on smoking behaviors were measured. The major effects were defined as quitting, reducing smoking and using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.
After tobacco prices increased, 3.8%, 22.8% and 5.4% of subjects quit, reduced smoking and switched to e-cigarettes. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for reducing smoking was significantly higher in subjects with a lower household income and lower education level than in those with a greater income and higher education level among current smokers. Subjects who started smoking at an older age, who smoked a smaller number of
cigarettes smoked per day and who had been exposed to anti-smoking campaigns and anti-smoking information
were more likely to reduce smoking after the price of tobacco increased. Younger subjects were less likely to reduce smoking, but they were more likely to use e-cigarettes after the price of tobacco increased. Low-income
subjects were sensitive to increases in the price of tobacco. Additional strategies are required to change the
smoking behaviors of heavy smokers. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of increasing the
price of tobacco, especially on younger adults, on smoking behaviors.