Cigarettes in Popular Films Are Target of Health Groups

The NYT has piece on a summer public health campaign being led by the American Medical Association Alliance. “Which Movie Studios Will Cause the Most Youth to Start Smoking This Summer?" is designed to increase awareness of illegal product placement of tobacco products in movies and the impact that this product placement has on youth smoking. This movement is based on research led by Jim Sargent (Dartmouth). Dr. Sargent's research and the response to this research provide a fascinating look into inferring causality from correlational research.

The 50 Cent increase in the state cigarette tax

Mississippi no longer has the third lowest cigarette tax in the Nation. On 15 May, the state raised the cigarette tax from 18 to 68 cents. There are several reasons why raising this tax is good for the state. Whereas the most important reason is that it will improve health by reducing smoking, this tax will also create new revenue for the state. This clip demonstrates the history of state cigarette tax and revenue over the past 9 nine years. The chart displayed in this clip illustrates how far Mississippi had fallen behind the other states - and the increased revenue that other states generated after raising the cigarette tax.