Research: Higher Wages Reduces Smoking

September 7, 2015
Raising the minimum wage could benefit health, say researchers. 

 A 10% increase in wages leads to a 5% decrease in the rate of smoking. That is especially true for male employees with a low level of education, report scientists from the UC Davis Health System in Sacramento in the “Annals of Epidemiology.” Moreover, the likelihood of quitting smoking increases from 17-20%.

For their study, researchers analyzed data from full time workers aged 21 to 69 in the years 1999 to 2009 and compared wage fluctuations with smoking behavior in the following year. While a link was found in men, higher wages did not influence smoking rates in women.

The scientists speculate that men were more likely to relate self-worth to wages and therefore exhibit riskier health behavior when having a lower-paying job. Increasing the minimum wage could therefore have a significant impact on smoking-related health risks, said study leader Paul Leigh.

The research may be found here:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.03.016