How is smoking distributed in relation to socioeconomic status? Evidence from Brazil in the years 2013 and 2019

• Published in: Economics and human biology Vol. 49; p. 101240
• Main Authors: Aristides Dos Santos, Anderson Moreira, Triaca, Lívia Madeira, Leivas, Pedro Henrique Soares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Aged; Brazil - epidemiology; Concentration index; Female; Humans; Income; Income-related inequality; Male; Nicotiana; Smoking; Smoking - epidemiology; Social Class; Socioeconomic Factors; Brazil; Concentration index; Income-related inequality; Smoking
• ISSN: 1570-677X; 1873-6130
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2023.101240

The present study aimed to analyze income-related inequality in tobacco consumption in Brazil using data from the National Health Survey at two points in time (2013 and 2019). This study contributes to the growing literature analyzing socioeconomic inequalities in tobacco use by investigating income-related inequalities in the consumption of different tobacco products in Brazil. The inequality measure is the concentration index with an Erreygers correction (EI), and the analysis of its decomposition allows the identification of the factors that determine such inequality. There is inequality in smoking concentrated in the poorest persons, and this pattern also occurs for manufactured cigarettes and roll-your-own cigarettes (RYO), while inequality in smoking cessation is concentrated among the wealthiest. Smoking inequalities were greater in men, older age groups, and RYO. In terms of evolution, the overall results indicated a small decline in smoking inequality. For the decomposition analysis, the results show that the main factors that affect tobacco inequality in terms of concentration in the poorest are education, income, and having private health insurance. The region variable, by contrast, has a positive contribution, since the wealthiest regions have individuals who are more likely to smoke. These results have important implications that serve as a basis for formulating public health policies. For example, greater inequalities for men and older individuals can be targeted by public policies with a special focus on these cases. •There is inequality in smoking concentrated in the poorest persons.•Smoking cessation is concentrated among the wealthiest.•Smoking inequalities were greater in men, older age groups.•Private health insurance, education, and income have strong contribution in inequalities.•Wealthiest regions have individuals who are more likely to smoke.