The impact of tobacco tax on the cardiovascular health: evidence from China

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. At the same time, tobacco consumption plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the impact of tobacco tax, a widely used tobacco control tool, on cardiovascular health based on survey data in China from 2011 to 2020. By exploring a tobacco tax reform in 2015, we show that tobacco tax has a positive effect on cardiovascular health because it could lower tobacco consumption at extensive and intensive margins. Moreover, the policy impact concentrates on vulnerable groups, such as males, the less-educated, and rural respondents.