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An empirical investigation of heterogeneity in time preferences and smoking behaviors

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  • Grignon, Michel
Abstract
In this study I exploit the findings of a population survey in which I had the opportunity to introduce questions on time preferences. The study uses retrospective data to estimate the relationship between present-biased preferences and the decisions to start and quit smoking. Respondents stating present-biased preferences are not more prone to start smoking but quit later in life, and after more failed attempts. These preliminary results strongly suggest that smokers form a heterogeneous population and it can be argued that such heterogeneity means that taxes on cigarettes are a blunt and inefficient instrument of public health.

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  • Grignon, Michel, 2009. "An empirical investigation of heterogeneity in time preferences and smoking behaviors," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 739-751, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:38:y:2009:i:5:p:739-751
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    3. Pia Rosina Pinger, 2017. "Predicting Experimental Choice Behavior and Life Outcomes from a Survey Measure of Present Bias," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 37(3), pages 2162-2172.
    4. Christian Bünnings, 2017. "Does new health information affect health behaviour? The effect of health events on smoking cessation," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(10), pages 987-1000, February.
    5. Takahiro Miura, 2016. "The association between time preference and smoking behavior: A dynamic panel analysis," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 16-16, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    6. Tatiana Kossova & Elena Kossova & Maria Sheluntcova, 2017. "Alcohol consumption and individual time preferences of Russians," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 64(1), pages 47-85, March.
    7. Jean-Pierre Drugeon & Bertrand Wigniolle, 2021. "On Markovian collective choice with heterogeneous quasi-hyperbolic discounting," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 72(4), pages 1257-1296, November.
    8. Kang, Myong-Il & Ikeda, Shinsuke, 2016. "Time discounting, present biases, and health-related behaviors: Evidence from Japan," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 122-136.
    9. Kossova, Tatiana (Коссова, Татьяна) & Kossova, Elena (Коссова, Елена) & Sheluntsova, Maria (Шелунцова, Мария), 2014. "A healthy lifestyle and individual intertemporal preferences of Russia [Здоровый Образ Жизни И Индивидуальные Межвременные Предпочтения Жителей России]," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 5, pages 172-190, October.
    10. Damien Bricard & Florence Jusot, 2012. "Milieu d’origine, situation sociale et parcours tabagique en France," Post-Print hal-01593798, HAL.
    11. Y. Bayer, B.J. Ruffle, R. Zultan, T. Dwolatzky, 2018. "Time preferences of older people with mild cognitive impairment," LCERPA Working Papers 0115, Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis, revised 30 May 2018.
    12. Myong‐Il Kang & Shinsuke Ikeda, 2014. "Time Discounting And Smoking Behavior: Evidence From A Panel Survey," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 23(12), pages 1443-1464, December.
    13. Miura, Takahiro, 2019. "Does time preference affect smoking behavior? A dynamic panel analysis," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 170-180.
    14. Jean-Pierre Drugeon & Bertrand Wigniolle, 2017. "On Time-Consistent Collective Choice with Heterogeneous Quasi- Hyperbolic Discounting," PSE Working Papers halshs-01662833, HAL.
    15. Karlsson, Martin & Klohn, Florian & Rickayzen, Ben, 2018. "The role of heterogeneous parameters for the detection of selection in insurance contracts," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 110-121.
    16. Christoph Merkle & Philipp Schreiber & Martin Weber, 2024. "Inconsistent Retirement Timing," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(3), pages 929-974.
    17. Tatiana Kossova & Elena Kossova & Maria Sheluntcova, 2014. "Estimating the Relationship Between Rate of Time Preferences And Socio-Economic Factors In Russia," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 39-68.
    18. Lahav, Eyal & Benzion, Uri & Shavit, Tal, 2010. "Subjective time discount rates among teenagers and adults: Evidence from Israel," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 458-465, August.
    19. Tatiana Kossova & Elena Kossova & Maria Sheluntcova, 2013. "Estimating the relationship between rate of time preferences and healthy lifestyle in Russia," HSE Working papers WP BRP 45/EC/2013, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    20. Vellios, Nicole & van Walbeek, Corne, 2014. "Determinants of smoking initiation in South Africa," SALDRU Working Papers 128, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

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