Application of Discrete-Choice Experiment Methods in Tobacco Control: A Systematic Review

• Published in: PharmacoEconomics - open Vol. 2; no. 1; pp. 5 - 17
• Main Authors: Regmi, Kabindra, Kaphle, Dinesh, Timilsina, Sabina, Tuha, Nik Annie Afiqah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavior modification; Conjoint analysis; Drug therapy; Electronic cigarettes; Experiments; Health behavior; Low income groups; Medical research; Medical screening; Medical Subject Headings-MeSH; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Methods; Mortality; Nicotine; Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes; Preferences; Pricing policies; Questionnaires; Smoking cessation; Systematic Review; Tobacco; Water pipes; Canada; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Japan
• ISSN: 2509-4262; 2509-4254; 2509-4254
• DOI: 10.1007/s41669-017-0025-4

Background Economic evidence relating to tobacco control is generally derived from the cost effectiveness of smoking-cessation programs or the economic impact of tobacco-induced disease, based on revealed-preference data. However, empirical estimates from stated-preference data on tobacco users’ preferences, smoking behaviour and smoking cessation aids using analytical techniques such as discrete-choice experiments (DCEs) could be important for policy decision making in tobacco control. Objectives Our objective was to review the practice and utility of DCE methodology across nicotine- and tobacco-related issues, particularly smoking and smoking-cessation behaviour, anti-smoking policies and preferences for smoking-cessation aids. Methods We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE and ECONLIT databases for full-text original research articles on tobacco-related issues published between January 2000 and April 2016 that used a DCE method. We summarised the evidence and methodological characteristics of DCEs according to Lancsar and Louviere, 2008. Results Our review of the 12 eligible studies showed that DCE methodology was used to elicit smoker preferences and to evaluate tobacco-control policies. The majority of the studies were published in the last 5 years. The areas of application were smoking cessation, smoking behaviour, electronic cigarette use, water-pipe smoking and tobacco packaging. Monetary attributes were the most influential attributes in all studies. The design of the DCEs varied. Conclusion DCE studies of tobacco-related issues were methodologically consistent with guidelines proposed for conducting health-related DCEs.