Shaping Tobacco Control Policy with Tobacconomics

Work with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Health Policy Center

Every year, millions of people across the world die prematurely from tobacco use. Smart policies have helped reduce consumption, but e-cigarettes, snus, and other new products that are growing in popularity remain largely unregulated.

In April 2014, Burness helped an expert research team launch Tobacconomics—a landmark initiative that provides the latest and best evidence about what’s working—or not working—to curb tobacco consumption and the impact it has on our economy. Much of our work has focused on creating the brand and shepherding the development of a website where researchers, advocates and policymakers can find everything they need to inform and make policy choices that will help reduce tobacco use and benefit the economy.

Another highlight of our work includes collaborating with researchers to produce a chartbook that documents how states have changed their tax rates and structures for cigarettes and other tobacco products over the past ten years. These data are critical for understanding how tax approaches affect consumption and for informing the tobacco control community, policymakers, future studies, and ongoing public health debates.