The Relationship Between Cigarette Taxes and Child Maltreatment
Publication Date
4-2-2018
Summary
Cigarette taxes have been seen as means of discouraging smoking, raising public revenue, and achieving other worthy goals. However, some research shows that cigarette-tax increases may reach a point where they produce negative social outcomes. As the cost of cigarettes goes up, household finances are adjusted, and there is less money for other priorities in the home. This study considered whether cigarette-tax increases are associated with changes in rates of child maltreatment. It also considered whether rates of abuse and neglect are influenced by changes in another type of regressive tax, the sales tax. The findings suggest that increases in regressive taxes may be associated with increases in child maltreatment, which has direct implications for public policy.
Document Type
Article
Category
Thriving Communities
Subarea
Livable Lives
Original Citation
McLaughlin, M. (2018). The relationship between cigarette taxes and child maltreatment. Child Abuse & Neglect, 79, 339-349. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.02.026
Project
Livable Lives Initiative
Keywords
tax, abuse, neglect, children, Livable Lives
Recommended Citation
McLaughlin, M. (2018). The relationship between cigarette taxes and child maltreatment. Child Abuse & Neglect, 79, 339-349. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.02.026