The Effects of Excise Taxes and Clean Air Laws on Adult and High School Smoking Rates in the United States

This study examines the effects of excise tax rates and clean air laws on adult and high school smoking rates in the United States (U.S.) from 2002 to 2012. Utilizing a panel data regression while controlling for various regions in the United States, it is found that there are statistically significant differences between smoking rates in different regions, and that taxes reduce smoking rates for adults, yet increase high school smoking rates, indicating riskier behavior in youths when compared to adults. Clean air laws are found to reduce adult smoking rates, but they have no significant effect on high school smoking rates