This research conducted a study on change in youth smoking rate before and after cigarette price rise in 2015.
For data analysis of this research, statistical package known as SPSS statistics 22.0 was used, frequency analysis was performed by designating stratification variable, cluster variable, and weight variable because the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey(KYRBWS) is designed as a complex sample, and statistical significance was verified with interpretation that there is a significant difference if the 95% confidence intervals at two points in time do not overlap each other by using 95% confidence interval.
As a result of the study, youth smoking rate showed significant drop compare to the time before cigarette price rise because current youth smoking rate was slightly decreased from 9.7% in 2013 to 9.2% in 2014 and smoking rate in 2015 after cigarette price increase was 7.8% which is 15.2% decrease rate compare to previous year.
Also, the selection rate for ‘Due to very expensive cigarette prices’ among reasons for smoking cessation attempt was increased to 11.4% in 2015 from 4.3% in 2014 and smoking amount of current teenage smokers after cigarette price rise in 2015 showed overall decrease compare to the time before cigarette price rise because proportion of smoking less than or equal to 5 cigarettes was increased and proportion of smoking more than or equal to 6 cigarettes was decreased. Through these results, it is confirmed that policy of cigarette price increase is very effective not only in decreasing youth smoking rate but also in providing motivation to stop smoking and preventing smoking.
The prevention of smoking and inducement to stop smoking during adolescent period is very important due to the fact that majority of teenage smokers continue smoking into their adulthood. In addition to policy of continuous cigarette price increase from now on, if education on prevention of smoking for youth is strengthened, stop smoking effects are considered to be maximized.