24 Jul Tobacco Taxes Reduce Health Expenses and Increase Worker Productivity
healtMedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Sajal Chattopadhyay, Ph.D.
Economic Advisor, The Community Guide Branch
Division of Public Health Information Dissemination
Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services
Office of Public Health Scientific Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Chattopadhyay: Based on an updated review of all of the available scientific studies, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) reiterated its recommendation for tobacco price increases based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in reducing tobacco use and its harmful consequences. This study expands on the conclusions on effectiveness of price increases by systematically reviewing the evidence on the economic impact of policies that raise the unit price of tobacco products in the U.S. and other high-income countries, primarily through taxation.
The findings indicate that tobacco price increases generate substantial healthcare cost savings and can generate additional gains from improved workplace productivity.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Chattopadhyay: Smokers experience high healthcare costs. They are also more likely to die prematurely, cutting short their years of productivity. In addition, they miss work for health-related reasons more often, and when present, underperform relative to non-smokers. The evidence from this systematic economic review shows that tobacco price increases result in substantial economic benefits from reduced healthcare expenditure and increased workplace productivity owing to reduced tobacco-related illness.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Chattopadhyay: Future economic research could expand the body of evidence on changes in productivity attributable to tobacco price increases. Also, more research is needed to estimate the impact of tobacco prices on tobacco use based on socio-economic status of smokers. Finally, additional evidence is needed on the cost of policy or regulatory interventions to increase tobacco prices.
Medical Research: What is the Community Preventive Services Task Force?
Dr. Chattopadhyay:
- The Community Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) is an independent, nonfederal, unpaid panel of public health and prevention experts. The Task Force identifies community preventive programs, services, and policies that save American lives and dollars, increase longevity, and improve quality of life. Task Force members represent a broad range of research, practice, and policy expertise in community prevention services, public health, health promotion, and disease prevention.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides ongoing administrative, research, and technical support for the operations of the Task Force.
- CDC is therefore committed to working with the Task Force to systematically review the scientific evidence on population-based strategies to reduce the burden of preventable disease, injury, and disability.
Citation:
Economic Impact of Tobacco Price Increases Through Taxation
Contreary, Kara A. et al.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.04.026
Sajal Chattopadhyay, Ph.D. (2015). Tobacco Taxes Reduce Health Expenses and Increase Worker Productivity
Last Updated on July 24, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD