Teens say they’ll quit smoking if cigarettes cost higher

Posted at 3:28 pm October 28, 2011

Tags: Health issues, Physical Wellness

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By Anna Valmero

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—A study found that young smokers will kick the habit if the price of cigarette would cost five pesos a stick.

According to the study of the University of the Philippines Communication Research Society (UP CommResSoc), the respondents indicated that raising the price of a cigarette stick to five pesos would make them stop buying cigarettes.

“We asked them, ‘Magkano ang halaga ng sigarilyo per stick na magpapatigil sa iyo sa pagbili ng sigarilyo? (How much is the cigarette price per stick that will make you stop buying cigarettes?), and a majority of them said five pesos or higher,” said UP CommResSoc spokesperson Princess Ubongen.

Ubongen added that most of the respondents were student smokers located in the eight most populated public high schools in Quezon City and “felt comfortable towards the topic”.

Half of the respondents are 15- to 16-years old, 25 percent were 13- to 14-years old and 23 percent were 17- to 18-years old.

Based on the survey, one-third (71 percent) of the 435 respondents will quit smoking if the price of a cigarette stick will cost five pesos or more. About 90 percent of the respondents buy high-priced cigarette brands priced at 32 pesos per pack.

In terms of monthly consumption, 33.7 percent said they can finish about three to ten packs, while 20 percent consumes over 10 packs and the remaining 28 percent can smoke one to three packs.

Ubongen said the study was conducted because it is “socially relevant” and involves social responsibility. She maintained the group does not have an official stand on the issue of tobacco taxes.

Teens say they’ll quit smoking if cigarettes cost higher

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