The Determinants of Cigarette Consumption: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study summarizes econometric findings from time-series research on the relationships between cigarette consumption and advertising, price, and income using a meta-analysis methodology. The study also investigates the trends in these relationships over time, controlling for possible confounding effects of design variables in the studies analyzed. The results show that the advertising and income elasticities are positive and significant on average across studies, and the average price elasticity is significantly negative. The elasticities vary across countries and design factors and have become smaller over time. Implications for public policy and future research are discussed.