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Examining the impact of tobacco pricing and packaging strategies on tobacco use and equity in middle-income countries

  Faculty of Health Sciences - Department of Health Research Methods; Evidence & Impact,

  G Emmanuel Guindon (emmanuel.guindon@mcmaster.ca), Michael Wilson (wilsom2@mcmaster.ca), Jeremiah Hurley (hurley@mcmaster.ca), Paul Contoyannis (contoyp@mcmaster.ca)

  Status
ongoing
  Start Date
June, 2016
  Countries
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa

The overarching objective of the proposed research to is to increase our understanding of the impact of tobacco pricing and packaging strategies on tobacco use and health equity in middle-income countries. More specifically, we propose to examine, using data from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa and Vietnam: • the impact of tobacco prices on tobacco use; • the influence of socioeconomic status (SES), sex, and age on the relationship between tobacco prices and tobacco use; • the impact of cigarette packaging, including plain packaging, on various sub populations.

Impact

Informing policy development The strength of our project is the generation of evidence that is being called for by policymakers rather than attempting to promote an untested approach. Country-specific evidence of the impact of raising excise taxes or switching from text-only, to graphic health warnings and ultimately to plain packaging, can be the difference between a consensus and a divisive policy process to achieve the goal of reducing tobacco use.

Student Experience

Our research project integrates graduate students. The graduate students will be involved in all phases of research. The hands-on training provided will include rigorous quantitative and experimental economic analysis and participation in both integrated KTE (e.g., conducting research in close partnership with KUs) and end-of-grant KTE. Through their involvement, the graduate students will become more critical consumers of health research and more skilled producers of health research.

Countries
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa
Impact
Research, Global Partnerships
Institutional Partner(s)
University of Cape Town
Community Partner(s)
Industry Partner(s)
Key Outcomes
Publications
Sponsorship
Federal
MOU
no

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