Program, Policy, and Price Interventions for Tobacco Control: Quantifying the Return on Investment of a State Tobacco Control Program
- 1 February 2012
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 102 (2), e22-e28
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2011.300506
Abstract
Objectives. We examined health effects associated with 3 tobacco control interventions in Washington State: a comprehensive state program, a state policy banning smoking in public places, and price increases. Methods. We used linear regression models to predict changes in smoking prevalence and specific tobacco-related health conditions associated with the interventions. We estimated dollars saved over 10 years (2000–2009) by the value of hospitalizations prevented, discounting for national trends. Results. Smoking declines in the state exceeded declines in the nation. Of the interventions, the state program had the most consistent and largest effect on trends for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Over 10 years, implementation of the program was associated with prevention of nearly 36 000 hospitalizations, at a value of about $1.5 billion. The return on investment for the state program was more than $5 to $1. Conclusions. The combined program, policy, and price interventions resulted in reductions in smoking and related health effects, while saving money. Public health and other leaders should continue to invest in tobacco control, including comprehensive programs.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Smoking Patterns in Oregon Youth: Effects of Funding and Defunding of a Comprehensive State Tobacco Control ProgramJournal of Adolescent Health, 2009
- A Review of Economic Evaluations of Tobacco Control ProgramsInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2008
- Effect of the California Tobacco Control Program on Personal Health Care ExpendituresPLoS Medicine, 2008
- Smoke-free Legislation and Hospitalizations for Acute Coronary SyndromeThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2008
- Effective Tobacco Control in Washington State: A Smart Investment for Healthy Futures2007
- Association of the California Tobacco Control Program with Declines in Lung Cancer IncidenceCancer Causes & Control, 2004
- The impact of tobacco control program expenditures on aggregate cigarette sales: 1981–2000Journal of Health Economics, 2003
- Association of the California Tobacco Control Program with Declines in Cigarette Consumption and Mortality from Heart DiseaseThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2000
- Strategies for reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, increasing tobacco-use cessation, and reducing initiation in communities and health-care systems. A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services.2000
- Decline in cigarette consumption following implementation of a comprehensive tobacco prevention and education program--Oregon, 1996-1998.1999