Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol 92, No 12:DECEMBER 2009 (SUPPL.7) 0125-2208 92 12 2009 Dec The Impact of Cigarette Tax increase on Smoking Behavior of Daily Smokers 46 EN Mondha Kengganpanich Lakkhana Termsirikulchai Sarunya Benjakul Original Article To assess the impact of excise tax increase on smoking behavior of daily smokers aged 15 years andover and to explore the association between smokers’ characteristics and smoking behavior prior and afterexcise tax increase This cross-sectional survey was performed in 504 daily smokers, who were selectedfrom data records of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) between February and April, 2009. The data werecollected by telephone interview in the first and second weeks of July, 2009. Data were analyzed by frequencydistribution and binary logistic regression. After the cigarette tax increase, 9.7% of daily smokers quitted smoking and 48.0% reduced theamount of cigarettes and/or changed the brands and types of tobacco, from manufactured cigarettes to handrolledcigarettes. After other covariance being adjusted, the analysis revealed that the amount of cigarettesper day, the types of cigarettes (manufactured and hand-rolled cigarettes), and the smokers’ reaction towardsthe increased price after the excise tax increase were respectively associated with the fact that the smokersquitted smoking or reduced the amount of cigarettes (p < 0.05). Cigarette tax increase is beneficial for government revenue and it also affects smoking behaviorchange of daily smokers. However, Ministry of Public Health should co-operate with Ministry of Finance toraise the tax rate on both cigarettes and hand-rolled cigarettes continuously and provide sufficient cessationservice to respond to the need to quit smoking. Cigarette tax increase Smoking behavior Daily smokers