Opinion on tobacco tax increase: Factors associated with individuals’ support in Germany

ObjectivesTo assess the opinion on tobacco tax increases in Germany.DesignTen wave cross-sectional study with assessments before and after the tax increases.SettingGeneral population of Germany.ParticipantsTen representative samples from general population with a total number of 27,608 persons aged 14 and above were interviewed.Main outcome measuresOpinion (“support”, “disapprove”, and “undetermined”) before and after tobacco tax increases.ResultsThirty-nine percent of the sample supported the tobacco tax increases. Support was higher among non-smokers and subjects with higher levels of education. Data indicated an increase of support over time from 35% in 2002 to 42% in 2005 which was not affected by the amount of price increase.ConclusionsThe preliminary findings, that the amount of price increase did not affect the support of the general population in a negative way, and that support grew during a succession of tax increases, might be useful for legislators.