title: Reactions of adult and teenaged smokers to the Massachusetts tobacco tax.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed smokers' reactions to a 25 cents cigarette tax imposed in Massachusetts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A statewide telephone survey of 1783 adult smokers and 216 teenaged smokers was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among adult smokers, 3.5% reported that they had stopped smoking, owing in part to the price increase; 35% had considered quitting and 19% had attempted to cut the cost of smoking by switching to cheaper brands or cutting down. Among teenagers, 21% had considered quitting and 26% had cut costs. Low-income smokers were more responsive to the price increase than more affluent smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A modest and temporary price increase promoted quitting among adult smokers and reduced cigarette consumption among low-income teenagers.
authors.affiliation: Center for Survey Research, University of Massachusetts, Boston 02125, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biener
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Aseltine
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anderka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D013660:Taxes