Tobacco price increase and consumption behaviour among male smokers in Saudi Arabia: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND

Saudi Arabia doubled its tobacco tax in June 2017.

AIMS

To examine the association between an increase in tobacco prices and consumption behaviour among current male smokers in Riyadh.

METHODS

We conducted a community-based study using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to current male smokers aged 15+ years in Riyadh in 2018. The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco consumption and self-reported chronic health conditions.

RESULTS

A total of 1481 participants were included in the final data analysis. After the tobacco tax was doubled, 25.6% of the participants reduced their cigarette consumption and 1.0% quit smoking. The average daily cigarette consumption after enforcing the tobacco tax [19.77, standard deviation (SD) 10.7], was statistically significantly lower than before taxation (21.19, SD 10.8) (P < 0.0001). The calculated price elasticity of demand was -0.20 (inelastic). Employment status (P = 0.002) and per capita gross domestic product purchasing power parity (P = 0.001) were the only statistically significant factors associated with the change in smoking habits.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing tobacco prices reduced tobacco consumption by 26.6% among Saudi Arabian male smokers.