Opinion on tobacco tax increase: factors associated with individuals' support in Germany.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the opinion on tobacco tax increases in Germany.


METHODS
Ten wave cross-sectional study with assessments before and after the tax increases.


METHODS
General population of Germany.


METHODS
Ten representative samples from general population with a total number of 27,608 persons aged 14 and above were interviewed.


METHODS
Opinion ("support", "disapprove", and "undetermined") before and after tobacco tax increases.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine percent of the sample supported the tobacco tax increases. Support was higher among non-smokers and subjects with higher levels of education. Data indicated an increase of support over time from 35% in 2002 to 42% in 2005 which was not affected by the amount of price increase.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary findings, that the amount of price increase did not affect the support of the general population in a negative way, and that support grew during a succession of tax increases, might be useful for legislators.
Institute for Therapy and Health Research, IFT-Nord, Düsternbrooker Weg 2, 24105 Kiel, Germany. hanewinkel@ift-nord.de
Reiner
R
Hanewinkel
Barbara
B
Isensee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics*; D013660:Taxes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*