EFFECTS OF TOBACCO EXCISE TAXES ON THE USE OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN THE USA

Data from the September 1985 Current Population Survey are used to est imate the effects of tobacco excise taxes and state laws restricting s moking in public places on the likelihood of current use of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco (ST) products (moist snuff or chewing tobacco) a mong males in the USA. The results indicate that higher ST excise tax rates are associated with a reduced probability of ST use, whereas hig her cigarette excise tax rates are associated with an increased probab ility of ST use, holding other factors constant. State laws restrictin g smoking have no apparent effect on ST use. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.