title: Reactions to Cigarette Taxes and Related Messaging: Is the South Different?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the lag in tobacco control policies in the southeastern US, we examined differences in reactions to tobacco taxes and related messaging among Southeasterners vs. non-Southeasterners.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013, a cross-sectional online survey using quota-based sampling was conducted assessing tobacco use, attitudes/knowledge regarding tobacco taxation, and reactions to related messaging (health, youth prevention, economic impact, individual rights/responsibility, morality/religion, hospitality).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 2501 participants, 36.7% were past 30-day smokers; 26.7% were Southeasterners. Compared to others, Southeasterners more likely believed that their state was in the bottom 20 states in tobacco taxes (p < .001) and less likely reported that their taxes were too high (p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that correlates of opposition to increased taxes included being older, having less education, being an infrequent church-attender, and being a current smoker (p's < .001); being a Southeasterner was not associated. Compared to others, Southeasterners were more likely to find pro-tobacco tax messages related to prevention and hospitality as more persuasive (p < .05) and anti-tobacco tax messaging related to the unfairness of tobacco taxes to smokers (p = .050) less persuasive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given that Southeasterners are receptive to increased taxation, other factors must contribute to lagging policy and must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA. cjberg@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ribisl
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thrasher
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haardörfer
authors.affiliation: Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Applied Public Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kegler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013660:Taxes; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult