Early Assessment of Impact of Increased Value Added Tax on Smoking Behaviors and Financing among Adult Smokers in Saudi Arabia

Sudhakar Vundavalli; Alwaleed Bader R  Alarjan; Radhika  Doppalapudi; Namdeo  Prabhu; Rakhi  Issrani; Naif Abdulrahman  Aljunaydi; Muhammad  Nadeem Baig

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i10.13845

Sudhakar Vundavalli Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Alwaleed Bader R Alarjan Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Radhika Doppalapudi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Namdeo Prabhu Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Rakhi Issrani Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Naif Abdulrahman Aljunaydi Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Nadeem Baig Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i10.13845

Keywords: Cigarette; Increased price; Smoking cessation; Taxation; Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking has been identified as most perilous risk factor for several health ailments. Increased price may discourage smoking habits. There is limited literature available on impact of price rise on smoking behaviors in Saudi Arabia, which is the fourth largest importer of cigarettes and this study assessed the impact of tax increase (in 2020) on smoking behaviors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between July 2021 and December 2021.i.e.one year after new value added tax (VAT) system came into force. Data was collected with 14-item pretested questionnaire from 721 adult smokers in Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia selected through stratified cluster ransom sampling. We measured effects of tax increase on smoking behaviors, its impact on decision to quit and perceived health improvements as outcome variables.

Results: Nearly 40% of the respondents said that increased price lead them to smoke less number of cigarettes per day (P=0.000), decreased smoking improved their health in terms of breathing capacity, mood, ability to exercise and sleep in hierarchy. 67.4% of the participants are currently thinking of quitting smoking due to increased prices (P=0.001) and logistic regression models identified reduced smoking due to tax rise (Odds=5.68), improvement in health (Odds=2.94) and excess spending of above 20% (Odds=1.72) significantly associated with intentions to quit smoking.

Conclusion: Increased price of cigarettes due to VAT significantly decreased smoking behaviors and has impact on smokers’ decision to quit smoking. Future studies needed to assess the long-term effect of increased tax on smoking behaviors and its relapse.