Smoking, income and subjective well-being: evidence from smoking bans

Brodeur, Abel (2013) Smoking, income and subjective well-being: evidence from smoking bans. CEP Discussion Papers (CEPDP1202). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of local smoking bans on different outcomes using county and time variation over the last 20 years in the US. First, I find no evidence that local smoking bans in bars, restaurants and workplaces decrease the prevalence of smoking. The estimates are very small and not statistically significant. Well-being is also affected by these policies: public smoking bans make smokers who do not quit more satisfied with their life. I verify the robustness of this result throughout, and validate my findings with two distinct data sources. I discuss and test the mechanisms behind this seemingly paradoxical relationship. The evidence suggests that smokers adapt to bans since the impact on satisfaction is negative just before the implementation and positive afterward. Last, I found evidence that smokers do not favor the implementation of smoking bans. Yet, once they are exposed to a public smoking ban, they are less opposed to those policies. Together the evidence suggests that current smokers are time-inconsistent and benefit from smoking policies.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	http://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/series.asp?...
Additional Information:	© 2013 The Author
Divisions:	Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
JEL classification:	D - Microeconomics > D6 - Welfare Economics > D62 - Externalities H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H51 - Government Expenditures and Health I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I18 - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I38 - Government Policy; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2013 08:38
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 23:29
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/51536

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