title: Impact of tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking: review of the evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We updated and expanded a previous systematic literature review examining the impact of tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the academic literature for reviews and primary research articles published between January 2006 and November 2010 that examined the socioeconomic impact of six tobacco control interventions in adults: that is, price increases, smoke-free policies, advertising bans, mass media campaigns, warning labels, smoking cessation support and community-based programmes combining several interventions. We included English-language articles from countries at an advanced stage of the tobacco epidemic that examined the differential impact of tobacco control interventions by socioeconomic status or the effectiveness of interventions among disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. All articles were appraised by two authors and details recorded using a standardised approach. Data from 77 primary studies and seven reviews were synthesised via narrative review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found strong evidence that increases in tobacco price have a pro-equity effect on socioeconomic disparities in smoking. Evidence on the equity impact of other interventions is inconclusive, with the exception of non-targeted smoking cessation programmes which have a negative equity impact due to higher quit rates among more advantaged smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased tobacco price via tax is the intervention with the greatest potential to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking. Other measures studied appear unlikely to reduce inequalities in smoking without specific efforts to reach disadvantaged smokers. There is a need for more research evaluating the equity impact of tobacco control measures, and development of more effective approaches for reducing tobacco use in disadvantaged groups and communities.
authors.affiliation: Global Public Health Unit, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amos
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Platt
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D006293:Health Promotion; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012923:Social Class; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000191:economics; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Disparities; Public Policy; Socioeconomic Status