title: Modelling the implications of regular increases in tobacco taxation in the tobacco endgame.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examine the potential role for taxation in the tobacco endgame in New Zealand, where the goal is to become 'smokefree' (less than 5% smoking prevalence) by 2025.
  
  
  METHODS
  Modelling study using a dynamic population model.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand, Māori and non-Māori men and women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Annual increases in tobacco excise tax of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (with 10% reflecting the annual increase recently legislated by the New Zealand Government to 2016).
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a continued commitment to annual 10% increases in tobacco excise tax, in addition to on-going Quitline and cessation support, New Zealand's smoking prevalence is projected to fall from 15.1% in 2013 to 8.7% (95% uncertainty interval 8.6% to 8.9%) by 2025. This is compared to 9.9% without any further tax rises. With annual tax increases of 20%, the prevalence is projected to fall to 7.6% (7.5% to 7.7%) by 2025. The potential reductions in smoking prevalence are substantial for both Māori and non-Māori populations, although annual tax increases as high as 20% will still only see Māori smoking prevalence in 2025 approaching the non-Māori smoking levels for 2013. Scenario analyses did not suggest that growth of the illicit tobacco market would substantively undermine the impact of tobacco tax rises. Nevertheless, unknown factors such as the gradual denormalisation of smoking and changes to the 'nicotine market' may influence sensitivity to changes in tobacco prices in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular increases in tobacco taxation could play an important role in helping to achieve tobacco endgames. However, this modelling in New Zealand suggests that a wider range of tobacco endgame strategies will be needed to achieve a smoke-free goal of less than 5% prevalence for all social groups--a conclusion that could also apply in other countries.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Cobiac
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nhung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nghiem
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blakely
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics* / Q000208:ethnology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013660:Taxes; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000191:economics*; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Economics; End Game; Price; Taxation