Infant mortality rate reduced by higher cigarette taxes

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As of 2013, about 15.3 percent of female adult Americans are smokers, the CDC reports. This detail is important because smoking is highly discouraged for women who are looking to get pregnant or are pregnant. A new study to be published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics show that higher tobacco prices in the U.S. may save hundreds of babies from death by discouraging women from smoking during and after pregnancy, HealthDay reports.

The study led by Dr. Stephen Patrick of Vanderbilt University examined data on the federal excise taxes to which cigarettes are subject. Researchers analyzed these taxes and cigarette prices from every state in the span of 11 years, from 1999 to 2010, and the federal data on infant mortality in each state.

CBS News reports that because of inflation, taxes per cigarette pack increased an average of 84 cents to $2.37. Infant mortality decreased from about 7.3 deaths to 6.2 deaths on average per 1,000 births. For African-American babies, the deaths declined from 14 to 11 per 1,000 births. Despite taking into consideration the other factors that influence infant mortality, researchers still find that rising taxes are indeed linked to infant mortality.

According to Dr. Patrick, "We found that increases in cigarette taxes and prices were associated with decreases in infant mortality."

"Smoking in pregnancy can lead to poor outcomes like premature birth, the number one cause of death for infants in the first year of life," he explained. "As a neonatologist, I commonly see premature and low birth weight infants born to women who smoke, and we know that nearly one in five women smokes during pregnancy."

The Washington Post reports that according to federal data, about 11% of American women smoke during pregnancy. Risks linked to the consumption of tobacco during pregnancy, including an increase in the baby's heart rate, an increased risk for miscarriage and stillbirth, an increased risk for the baby developing respiratory problems, and increased risk of birth defects and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, WebMD reports.

According to Dr. Patrick, it is important to look at tax hikes as a factor that affects infant mortality, as "there may not be a political will to increase cigarette taxes in some states. Tennessee recently increased the price of cigarettes in the state by increasing the profit margin for retailers and not through a tax. Our study suggests that this approach would be as effective as a tax increase."

Additionally, researchers noted that while the study did not examine how taxes have negative consequences for pregnant smokers who do not plan on any type of smoking cessation, they believe that their study can help lawmakers to think of ways to help reduce infant deaths.