Tesis
Measuring the effect of policy on the demand for menthol cigarettes : evidence from household level purchase data
Autor
Rossi, Martín A.
Institución
Resumen
I use detailed household-level data to investigate the potential impact of a ban on menthol
cigarettes on smoking when compared to intervention policies such as taxes and public
smoking restrictions. The results show that menthols are less addictive than non-menthols,
and that demand for menthol cigarettes is less price sensitive. Public smoking restrictions
are unsuccessful in reducing menthol smoking, though they do reduce non-menthol
consumption. Additionally, higher prices do not increase the likelihood of quitting for
menthol smokers. These findings indicate that current policies are ineffective in curbing
menthol smoking, and a complete ban might be required.