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The $5 man: The underground economic response to a large cigarette tax increase in New York City

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  • Shelley, D.
  • Cantrell, M.J.
  • Moon-Howard, J.
  • Ramjohn, D.Q.
  • VanDevanter, N.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the mechanisms by which living in a disadvantaged minority community influences smoking and illegal cigarette sale and purchasing behaviors after a large cigarette tax increase. Methods. Data were collected from 14 focus groups (n=104) that were conducted during the spring of 2003 among Blacks aged 18 years and older living in New York City. Results. A large tax increase led to what focus group participants described as a pervasive illegal cigarette market in a low-income minority community. Perceived pro-smoking community norms, a stressful social and economic environment, and the availability of illegal cigarettes worked together to reinforce smoking and undermine cessation. Conclusions. Although interest in quitting was high, bootleggers created an environment in which reduced-price cigarettes were easier to access than cessation services. This activity continues to undermine the public health goals of the tax increase.

Suggested Citation

  • Shelley, D. & Cantrell, M.J. & Moon-Howard, J. & Ramjohn, D.Q. & VanDevanter, N., 2007. "The $5 man: The underground economic response to a large cigarette tax increase in New York City," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(8), pages 1483-1488.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2005.079921_3
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.079921
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    Cited by:

    1. Howard Chernick & David Merriman, 2013. "Using Littered Pack Data to Estimate Cigarette Tax Avoidance in Nyc," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 66(3), pages 635-668, June.
    2. James E. Prieger, 2023. "Tax noncompliance: The role of tax morale in smokers' behavior," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 41(4), pages 653-673, October.
    3. Andrea S. Licht & Andrew J. Hyland & Richard J. O’Connor & Frank J. Chaloupka & Ron Borland & Geoffrey T. Fong & Nigar Nargis & K. Michael Cummings, 2011. "Socio-Economic Variation in Price Minimizing Behaviors: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Daniel S Morris & Michael A Tynan, 2012. "Fiscal and Policy Implications of Selling Pipe Tobacco for Roll-Your-Own Cigarettes in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-5, May.
    5. DeCicca, Philip & Kenkel, Donald & Liu, Feng, 2013. "Excise tax avoidance: The case of state cigarette taxes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1130-1141.
    6. Hyunchul Kim & Dongwon Lee, 2021. "Racial demographics and cigarette tax shifting: evidence from scanner data," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 1011-1037, August.

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