Tax Proposals for Cigarette Smoking
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore how different tax proposals on cigarette products affect buying habits. It will examine how taxes on regular and low-nicotine cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products, influence smokers' purchasing choices in a virtual store. Suitable participants are those who smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day and do not plan to quit in the next month.
As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could shape future tax policies and smoking habits.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you've used smoking cessation medications in the past 30 days.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that increasing taxes on tobacco can help reduce cigarette smoking, leading to fewer smokers and potentially lowering health risks over time. The Harm Reduction Tax aims to reduce harm by encouraging smokers to choose potentially less harmful products. However, smokeless tobacco products, sometimes used for harm reduction, have been linked to health issues like strokes and reproductive problems.
For the Modified Risk Tobacco Product Tax, studies indicate that these products are designed to be less harmful than regular cigarettes. They expose users to fewer harmful chemicals, which might lower health risks. However, using these products is still riskier than not using tobacco at all.
The Nicotine Content Tax aims to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes, which could help reduce addiction. Research suggests that higher taxes on cigarettes can reduce smoking rates, potentially leading to better health outcomes.
The Tobacco Parity Tax seeks to tax all tobacco products equally, making smoking more expensive and less appealing. Higher tobacco taxes have been shown to reduce smoking rates and can lead to fewer health problems related to smoking.
Overall, these tax strategies aim to reduce smoking rates and encourage safer choices. However, using any tobacco product can still pose health risks.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it's exploring different tax strategies to encourage cigarette smokers to switch to less harmful products. Traditional smoking cessation methods often focus on nicotine replacement therapies or behavioral support. In contrast, this trial tests various tax models to financially incentivize smokers to choose products with lower risk profiles. The unique approach of using economic incentives to potentially reduce smoking-related harm is what sets this research apart. By categorizing products into different tax tiers, the trial seeks to understand how price changes might influence smoking habits and promote public health.
What evidence suggests that this trial's tax proposals could be effective in changing tobacco purchasing patterns?
This trial will compare different tax strategies on tobacco products to assess their impact on smoking behavior. Studies have shown that raising taxes on tobacco products effectively reduces smoking rates. The Harm Reduction Tax arm will evaluate whether higher taxes on regular cigarettes encourage people to choose less harmful options or quit smoking altogether. The Modified Risk Tobacco Product Tax arm aims to make safer products more affordable, encouraging smokers to switch. Studies indicate these taxes often lead to a decrease in perceived risk and a change in consumer behavior. The Nicotine Content Tax arm targets cigarettes with higher nicotine levels, placing them in higher tax brackets, which has been shown to reduce smoking, especially among young people. Lastly, the Tobacco Parity Tax arm aims to equalize taxes across all tobacco products. Research suggests this approach helps decrease overall tobacco use effectively.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Christine E Sheffer, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jeff S Stein, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals who smoke cigarettes. It's designed to see how different tax strategies and the availability of normal-nicotine versus low-nicotine cigarettes affect their buying habits in a simulated market.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Control Trials
Participants complete two control trials to establish baseline purchasing behavior
Tax Proposal Conditions
Participants are exposed to one of the four tax proposal conditions with varying tax scenarios
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in purchasing behavior and budget allocation
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Harm Reduction Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Available
- Harm Reduction Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Not Available
- Modified Risk Tobacco Product Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Available
- Modified Risk Tobacco Product Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Not Available
- Nicotine Content Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Available
- Nicotine Content Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Not Available
- Tobacco Parity Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Available
- Tobacco Parity Tax - Normal Nicotine Cigarettes Not Available
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lead Sponsor
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Collaborator
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator