Awareness and reported consequences of a cigarette tax increase among older adolescents and young adults.

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and predictors of the awareness of cigarette price increases following a cigarette tax increase, and assess the association of the tax increase and attempts to quit and reduce smoking among adolescents and young adults.

DESIGN

We used a prospective cohort design.

SETTING

Surveys were conducted in Minnesota before and after a $0.75 cigarette tax increase.

SUBJECTS

We surveyed 3167 adolescents and young adults, including a subsample of 781 past-30-day smokers.

MEASURES

Outcome measures were awareness of cigarette price increases and, among past-30-day smokers, reported changes in smoking behaviors because of the tax increase. Predictors included demographics, social factors, and prior smoking behaviors.

ANALYSIS

We estimated the prevalence of the outcomes and their associations with the predictors using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among all participants, 42% noticed an increase in cigarette prices after the tax increase, including 76% of past-30-day smokers. Being a heavier smoker, living with smokers, having more smoking close friends, and generally being aware of cigarette price changes prospectively predicted the awareness of the price increase after the tax increase. Among past-30-day smokers, 16.7% reported quit attempts and 24.1% reported reducing smoking because of the tax increase.

CONCLUSION

Because fewer than half of the participants noticed the cigarette tax increase, media campaigns to raise awareness of tax changes may increase their effectiveness.