An inquiry into the economics of smoking behavior
Date
1997-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This paper delves on the economics of smoking behavior by providing various economic perspectives in explaining the individual's decision to smoke. In particular, a survey of existing literature on the determinants of smoking behavior focusing on the rational consumption of hazardous goods, risk perceptions, rational addiction, and health knowledge is presented. To give credence to the theories and predictions of these economic models, empirical and descriptive evidence is shown along with a discussion on the effectiveness of some smoking control policies and programs of both developed and developing countries, as evaluated by the studies. In view of all these, an analysis of existing smoking-related studies in the Philippines, particularly the 1987 and 1995 National Smoking Prevalence
Surveys and the recent studies conducted by the Social Weather Stations is made. The identification of policy implications and areas for government and institutional intervention to address the need to establish an effective smokingcontrol program in the Philippines concludes this inquiry.
Description
Keywords
Inquiry, Economics, Smoking behavior