The Long-term Impact of In-Utero Cigarette Taxes on Adult Prenatal Smoking

Abstract

This study examines the long-term link between in utero cigarette taxes and adult prenatal smoking. We use US birth certificate records to demonstrate that exposure to higher in utero cigarette taxes (over 1965–2001) reduces later-life adult pre-pregnancy and prenatal smoking. We also show that higher in utero cigarette taxes have long-lasting effects on adult health and intergenerational consequences for infant health. Finally, we demonstrate that larger in utero tax responsiveness correlates with smaller contemporary cigarette tax responsiveness, suggesting that higher in utero taxes may alter the composition of remaining smokers and contribute to reductions in contemporary cigarette tax responsiveness.