Tobacco consumption, gender and caregiving: a case study in Argentina

Introduction This study investigates the gender-specific economic impacts of tobacco price increases, focusing on their effects on caregiving time, female labour income and total family income within Argentine households. Methods Using Argentine data, the research employs simulations to assess the potential changes in economic indicators following a hypothetical 25% increase in tobacco prices. The analysis considers specific behavioral assumptions to model household responses. Results Simulations indicate that a 25% increase in tobacco prices is associated with a potential increase in the average monthly labour income of female caregivers by up to 8.6% in the preferred scenario. This effect is attributed to an increase in the hours worked by female caregivers and a rise in female labour force participation, driven by a reduced need for caregiving hours due to improved health outcomes or changes in household dynamics related to tobacco cessation. Consequently, this also implies a 0.53% increase in the monthly per capita household income (PCHI). These positive economic effects are non-linear across the income distribution, with women in the lowest quintile experiencing a more substantial 0.64% increase in PCHI. Conclusions Tobacco price increases in Argentina may yield significant gender-specific economic benefits, particularly for female caregivers and low-income households. These findings highlight an additional economic rationale for implementing robust tobacco control policies, beyond direct health benefits, by demonstrating their potential to enhance female economic empowerment and reduce household poverty.