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Income-related inequality in smoking habits: A comparative assessment in the European Union

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  • Carnazza, Giovanni
  • Liberati, Paolo
  • Resce, Giuliano

Abstract

This paper investigates the association between income and the habit of smoking in 30 European countries. Using the European Health Interview Survey carried out between 2013 and 2015, the analysis focuses on the relationship among net monthly equivalised income of the household, the type of smoking behaviour, and the daily average number of cigarettes smoked. Income-related inequalities are estimated using the Erreygers Index. Results show that smoking is a habit which is mainly rooted in the lowest part of the income distribution both at individual and country level, regardless of the average level of per capita income. Considering that tobacco use worsens poverty conditions by diverting household spending from basic needs to tobacco itself, our results give support to a tax increase in order to discourage its use and to the implementation of educational and prevention programs aimed at helping people to quit smoking.

Suggested Citation

  • Carnazza, Giovanni & Liberati, Paolo & Resce, Giuliano, 2023. "Income-related inequality in smoking habits: A comparative assessment in the European Union," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 34-41.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:128:y:2023:i:c:p:34-41
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.12.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risky behaviours; Smoking; Income-related health inequalities; European Union;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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