'Adolescents with mental health problems have much higher rates of smoking than those without such problems,' researchers in the United States report (see also Mental Health).
'Although a large body of evidence suggests that higher cigarette prices reduce smoking prevalence and the quantity smoked, little is known about the interaction between mental health or behavioral problems and tobacco consumption in the general population or among adolescents. Using a national representative sample of adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and employing validated psychiatric measures of emotional distress and behavioral problems, we estimate the price elasticity of cigarette demand for adolescents who have behavioral or emotional problems,' wrote E. Tekin and colleagues, Georgia State University.
The researchers concluded: 'The results indicate that these adolescents are at least as responsive to cigarette prices as adolescents with no emotional or behavioral problems..'
Tekin and colleagues published their study in Southern Economic Journal (Do Adolescents with Emotional or Behavioral Problems Respond to Cigarette Prices? Southern Economic Journal, 2009;76(1):67-85).
For additional information, contact E. Tekin, Georgia State University, Andrew Young School Policy Studies, NBER, POB 3992, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA.
Publisher contact information for the Southern Economic Journal is: University North Carolina, Southern Economic Journal, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
Keywords: United States, Atlanta, Behavior, Mental Health, Smoking, Georgia State University.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
