Factors associated with self-reported use of illicit tobacco in England: Findings from a cross-sectional survey at two time points
Author(s)
Belinda Iringe-Koko, Ann McNeill, Luk Joossens, Martin Dockrell, Ailsa Rutter, Robert West and Andy McEwen
Presenter(s)
Belinda Iringe-Koko PhD Researcher, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London
Abstract
Aim:
Increases in tobacco taxes provide smokers with a stimulus to quit and may prevent smoking initiation in the young. The availability of illicit tobacco undermines the effect of this price mechanism by providing an unregulated source of cheap tobacco. A detailed and up-to-date understanding of the use of illicit tobacco and the characteristics of those who purchase illicit tobacco is needed in order to respond effectively.
Methods:
Questionnaire data from 1520 smokers in 2007-8 and 2541 smokers in 2010-11 from the Smoking Toolkit Study were used. We assessed the proportion of respondents who reported purchase of illicit tobacco.
Results:
Nearly one-fifth (19.1%; n=290, 95%CI 17.7–21.6) of smokers in 2007-08 reported illicit tobacco purchase; this decreased to 4% (n=98, 95%CI 3.5-5.0) in 2010-11. In 2007-08 smokers reporting illicit tobacco purchase were of a younger age (OR = 0.73, CI 0.49 – 1.09; p ≤0.001), had high tobacco dependence (OR=1.03, CI 1.02-1.04; p ≤ 0.001), were almost twice more likely to be male (OR = 1.71, CI 1.20 – 2.11; p ≤ 0.001) and were from low socio-economic groups (OR=1.83, CI 1.35-2.48; p<0.001). This was the same in 2010-11, with only a non-significant difference in age, this increased to 55-64 (OR=0.89, CI 0.49-1.62; p=0.692).
Conclusions:
Although there was a marked decline in reported use of illicit tobacco in England between 2007-08 and 2010-11, our findings suggest that the characteristics of those who purchase illicit tobacco did not change over this period. This suggests that illicit tobacco purchasing behaviour is embedded in certain groups. Therefore, in order to build on current efforts to decrease illicit tobacco use, more targeted measures are needed to achieve a continued decline in illicit tobacco use in England.
Source of funding: Cancer Research UK Lynn MacFayden Studentship in Tobacco Control
