SynthesisTobacco control2013
What is known about tobacco industry efforts to influence tobacco tax? A systematic review of empirical studies.
Synthesis in Tobacco control, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 100 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
100 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Understanding the mechanisms of change in social norms around tobacco use: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions.Addiction (Abingdon, England) · 2025Pooled it
- Tobacco industry pricing strategies in response to excise tax policies: a systematic review.Tobacco control · 2023Pooled it
- Tobacco industry data on illicit tobacco trade: a systematic review of existing assessments.Tobacco control · 2019Pooled it
- Policy lessons from health taxes: a systematic review of empirical studies.BMC public health · 2017Pooled it
- Beyond excise taxes: a systematic review of literature on non-tax policy approaches to raising tobacco product prices.Tobacco control · 2016Pooled it
- How does the alcohol industry attempt to influence marketing regulations? A systematic review.Addiction (Abingdon, England) · 2016Pooled it
- How does the tobacco industry attempt to influence marketing regulations? A systematic review.PloS one · 2014Pooled it
- Information to Improve Public Perceptions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA's) Tobacco Regulatory Role.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2018Trial
- The policy implementation playbook: a cross-policy taxonomy of post-adoption tobacco industry tactics.Globalization and health · 2026Review
- Barriers to raising taxes on tobacco products in Uganda: a political economy analysis.Health policy and planning · 2026Article
- Making cigarette taxes more effective in Mozambique: A simulation analysis using the Tobacco Excise Tax Simulation Model (TETSiM).PloS one · 2026Article
- Tobacco industry efforts to harness the voice and influence of community organisations.Tobacco control · 2025Article
- How governments influence public health research: a scoping review.Health promotion international · 2025Article
- Unpacking complexities surrounding tobacco control policy formulation and tobacco industry interference in South Africa: a qualitative study.Health policy and planning · 2025Article
- Tobacco purchasing in Australia during regular tax increases: findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project.Tobacco control · 2025Article
- Understanding political perceptions of tobacco policies and stakeholders in France: A qualitative study with parliamentarians.Tobacco prevention & cessation · 2025Article
- Analyzing arguments on tobacco tax increases. Focus on French parliamentary questions and responses, 2000-2020.Tobacco induced diseases · 2024Article
- An expenditure analysis revealing how Philip Morris advertisements coincide with tobacco policymaking in Switzerland.Tobacco prevention & cessation · 2024Article
- Tobacco Industry Engagement in the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee E-Cigarettes Inquiry.International journal of health policy and management · 2024Article
- How does the e-cigarette industry respond to tax adjustments? Evidence from China.Tobacco induced diseases · 2024Article
40 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo systematically review studies of tobacco industry efforts to influence tobacco tax policies.
methodsSearches were conducted between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010 in 14 databases/websites, in relevant bibliographies and via experts. Studies were included if they focused on industry efforts to influence tobacco tax policies, drew on empirical evidence, were in English and concerned the period 1985-2010. In total, 36 studies met these criteria. Two reviewers undertook data extraction and critical appraisal. A random selection of 15 studies (42%) was subject to second review. Evidence was assessed thematically to identify distinct tobacco industry aims, arguments and tactics.
resultsA total of 34 studies examined industry efforts to influence tax levels. They suggest the tobacco industry works hard to prevent significant increases and particularly dislikes taxes 'earmarked' for tobacco control. Key arguments to counter increases are that tobacco taxes are socially regressive, unfair and lead to increased levels of illicit trade and negative economic impacts. For earmarked taxes, the industry also frequently tries to raise concerns about revenue allocation. Assessing industry arguments against established evidence demonstrates most are unsupported. Key industry tactics include: establishing 'front groups', securing credible allies, direct lobbying and publicity campaigns. Only seven studies examined efforts to influence tax structures. They suggest company preferences vary and tactics centre on direct lobbying.
conclusionsThe tobacco industry has historically tried to keep tobacco taxes low using consistent tactics and misleading arguments. Further research is required to explore efforts to influence tax structures, excise policies beyond the USA and recent policies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.