CIGARETTE TAXES AND HOW YOUTHS OBTAIN CIGARETTES.

CIGARETTE tax; ADOLESCENT smoking; CIGARETTE smokers; RISK-taking behavior in adolescence; SMOKING cessation

Using state Youth 'Risk Behavior Survey data for the period 1995-2011, we examine the relationship between state cigarette taxes and how high school students obtain their cigarettes. Our estimates suggest that, among respondents under age 18, higher cigarette taxes reduce smoking participation primarily through third-party purchases, an important component of the secondary market. We also find that, among respondents age 18 and older, cigarette taxes are negatively related to purchasing cigarettes directly from a commercial establishment. Finally, we find that cigarette taxes are essentially unrelated to borrowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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