Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This project attempts to explain levels of public support for increases in state cigarette taxes. Existing models of policy making expect that support for policy proposals is at least somewhat linked to expectations of the efficacy of the policy. At a minimum, this project tests that hypothesis by addressing the link between support for a cigarette tax increase and expectations that such an increase will reduce smoking. However, cigarette taxes are not merely public health regulations. They are also public finance tools, and can serve as a reliable revenue stream for a state government. The second question this project thus addresses is: does support for a cigarette tax increase diminish, even amongst those who expect the tax to reduce smoking, if the revenue is to be used for the general fund (rather than, say, a public health or anti-smoking program)? In other words, do cigarette taxes have to be justified as public health policies in order to secure public support, or are expectations of effectiveness in reducing smoking sufficient? Data for the project have already been collected, via a survey of 1,950 adults in the state of Iowa, conducted in 2006.