Will Any Future Increase In Cigarette Price Reduce Smoking In Saudi Arabia?
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Author(s)
Sara Ibrahim Altraif, Omar Almohrej and Hani Tamim
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| Presenter(s) |
Sara Ibrahim Altraif Medical Student, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University For Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia |
Abstract CONTEXT:In Saudi Arabia, no studies were reported on the correlation between cigarette’s price increase and its effects on cigarette consumption.
AIMS:The aim was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Saudi Arabia and to predict the effect of price increase on cigarette consumption.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN:A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2013.
METHODS:We developed an Arabic questionnaire with demographic and socioeconomic factors, smoking history, and the opinion on price increase effect on cigarette consumption. It was distributed manually in public places and electronically.
RESULTS:Among the 2057 responses, 802 (39%) were current smokers. The smokers constituted of 746 (92%) males, of which 546 (68%) had a monthly income equal or greater to 800 US dollars, and 446 (55%) were between 21 and 30 years. Multivariate analyses of smoking risk factors showed that male gender and older age were of greater risk. When asked about the price of cigarettes that will lead to smoking cessation, 443 smokers (55%) expected that a price of 8.27 US dollars and more per pack would make them quit.
CONCLUSIONS:Increasing cigarettes’ pack price from 2.67 to 8.27 US dollars will lead to smoking cessation in 39% of smokers in the Saudi population.
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Presenter biography Sara Ibrahim Hamad Altraif
A 23 year old Saudi final year medical student at KSAU-HS (King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Source of funding: No funding was requested
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Declaration of interest: No conflicts of interest
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