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HAVE EFFORTS TO REDUCE SMOKING REALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC? |
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| Authors: | JAMES NONNEMAKER ERIC FINKELSTEIN MARK ENGELEN THOMAS HOERGER and MATTHEW FARRELLY |
| Institution: | Nonnemaker:;Research Economist, Health, Social and Economic Research, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194. Phone (919) 541-7064, Fax (919) 541-6683, E-mail Finkelstein:;Program Director, Health, Social, and Economic Research, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194. Phone (919) 541-8074, Fax (919) 541-6683, E-mail Engelen:;Associate Economist, Health, Social, and Economic Research, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194. Phone (919) 316-3436, Fax (919) 541-6683, E-mail Hoerger:;Senior Fellow, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194. Phone (919) 541-7146, Fax (919) 541-6683, E-mail Farrelly:;Senior Program Director, Health, Social, and Economic Research, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194. Phone (919) 541-6852, Fax (919) 541-6683, E-mail |
| Abstract: | Two of the most notable trends in public health over the past 30 yr are the reductions in smoking rates and the rapid rise in obesity rates. Several studies have investigated the relationship between these trends but have drawn different conclusions. In this article, we revisit this issue, attempting to clarify the prior discrepant results. Overall, we find no support for the claim that rising cigarette taxes have significantly contributed to rising obesity rates. Instead, we find only a moderately sized effect among former smokers . ( JEL I12) |
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