Impact of Cigarette Prices and Tobacco Control Policies on Smoking Initiation among Adolescents: Evidence from North Macedonia [Policy Brief]

This Policy Brief was written by Analytica in North Macedonia. The policy brief discusses the impact of cigarette prices, tobacco control policies, peer and parental influence, demographic characteristics and other factors on smoking initiation among youth. The researchers find that price impacts the likelihood of smoking initiation, although not directly. Instead, cigarette prices affect the likelihood that youth are exposed to parental or peer smoking. Youths whose parents smoke are 79% more likely to start smoking, while those with friends who smoke are 62% more likely to smoke. As a result, increasing the price of cigarettes by 10% would reduce the likelihood of youth smoking initiation by 3%. Other tobacco control policies are also effective in deterring youth from initiating smoking, including the bans on smoking in public places and limiting access to tobacco for youth. The study also finds that youth who perceive tobacco use as harmful are less likely to smoke, which suggests that educational campaigns may deter youth initiation. The policy brief concludes with recommendations for price and non-price policies that would reduce youth smoking. 

A corresponding Working Paper can be found here.