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Smaller Cigarette Pack as a Commitment to Smoke Less? Insights from Behavioral Economics

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  • Joachim Marti
  • Jody Sindelar

Abstract

Cigarettes are commonly sold in packs of 20 units and therefore little is known about the potential impact of pack size on consumption. Using insights from behavioral economics, we suggest that cigarette packs smaller than the standard size may help some smokers cut back and/or quit, consistent with their long-term goals. Results from an online hypothetical purchase experiment conducted in a sample of US smokers reveal that over a third of smokers are willing to pay a price premium to purchase in smaller quantities. Further, a desire to quit smoking and high self-control is associated with preference for a smaller pack. While we provide some preliminary evidence that smaller packs may be beneficial to certain types of smokers, further research should be conducted to assess whether the smaller pack size should be considered in the arsenal of tobacco control policies to help current smokers quit (JEL: I18; I12; D12)

Suggested Citation

  • Joachim Marti & Jody Sindelar, 2015. "Smaller Cigarette Pack as a Commitment to Smoke Less? Insights from Behavioral Economics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0137520
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137520
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariya Davydenko & Marta Kolbuszewska & Johanna Peetz, 2021. "A meta-analysis of financial self-control strategies: Comparing empirical findings with online media and lay person perspectives on what helps individuals curb spending and start saving," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Marysia Ogrodnik, 2016. "Investigating the determinants of smoking cessation: from the desire to quit to the effective attempt," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 16052, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    3. Halizah Mat Rifin & Miaw Yn Jane Ling & Tania Gayle Robert Lourdes & Thamil Arasu Saminathan & Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani & Nur Liana Ab Majid & Hamizatul Akmal Abd Hamid & Mohd Ruhaizie Riyadzi & Ahz, 2022. "Small/Kiddie Cigarette Packaging Size and Its Impact on Smoking: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Ce Shang & James Nonnemaker & Kymberle Sterling & Jessica Sobolewski & Scott R. Weaver, 2021. "Impact of Little Cigars and Cigarillos Packaging Features on Product Preference," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Jessica L. King & Anna Bilic & Julie W. Merten, 2021. "Reasons for Pack Size Purchase among US Adults Who Purchase Cigars," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-6, July.
    6. Marysia Ogrodnik, 2016. "Investigating the determinants of smoking cessation: from the desire to quit to the effective attempt," Post-Print halshs-01379240, HAL.
    7. May C I van Schalkwyk & Martin McKee & Jasper V Been & Christopher Millett & Filippos T Filippidis, 2020. "Size matters: An analysis of cigarette pack sizes across 23 European Union countries using Euromonitor data, 2006 to 2017," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-7, August.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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