Smokers' behavioural responses before and after the 2012 tobacco excise increase

The New Zealand tobacco tax has been increased annually since 2010, and this paper determines the short-term impacts of the 2012 tax increase. We analysed two separate sets of telephone surveys of current smokers and recent quitters conducted over a six-month period (three months before and three months after the tax increase), and compared the level of behaviour change before and after the tax increase. We found that the 14.5% increase in tobacco excise had an impact on smokers. From both surveys, we saw an increase in smoking-related behavioural change (quit/tried to quit/cut down). However, the rate of change was different by ethnicity and past three-month quit attempt status. Specifically, non-Māori and those who have made a recent quit attempt had increased likelihood of reporting a smoking-related change. Despite being a major priority target group in tobacco control, Māori smokers were not benefited by the 2012 increase in tax excise.