Publication type
Journal Article
Authors
Publication date
June 1, 2002
Abstract:
This paper uses seven waves of British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) data to examine the link between health developments while smoking (both one’s own and those of other smokers in the same household) and future cigarette consumption. We find those whose health worsens when smoking smoke less in the future, and are more likely to quit. This correlation is consistent with both a Grossman model of health demand (where all parameters are known) and with learning about the health consequences of smoking (where there is uncertainty). There is little effect on smoking from health developments amongst other smokers in the same household. As such, impersonal information provision may have less of an effect on smoking than the delivery of personalised health information, for example through the medical profession.
Published in
Journal of Health Economics
Volume
Volume: 21 (4): 533-562
Subject
#505351