A count data analysis of the determinants of cigarette consumption evidence from the city of Sulaimanyah in 2015

Abstract

Problem statement: The literature of smoking cigarettes well documented the harmful consequences of smoking on health statues. Exposure to smoking cigarette is associated with precocious death, economic losses to society, and a substantial burden on the health-care system. Significance of the study: The importance of the study comes from determining the influential factor of smoking decisions, thus, such studies might help anti-smoking policies to be more efficient in reducing the prevalence of smoking. Objective: this paper attempts to identify factors determining the participation decisions to smoke at the individual level in the City of Sulamnyah. Approach: Random samples of 650 individuals and employees have been selected to participate in survey questionnaires to study their participations of smoking. Hypothesis: It is assumed that age, education level, marital status, income, living with others or being alone, the influence of friends, having children, and health status are determine the number of smoking cigarette per day. Methodology: This paper will use Poisson regression model and negative binomial (NB) regression model to acquire the Hypothesis. Results: It is evident from the results that the elder, educated and married persons smoke less than younger, single, and less educated individuals. Moreover, friends have no influences in the participation to smoke. The results also identify that, income is not relevant in smoking determinations.

Keywords: Determinants of smoking cigarettes, Poisson regression model, Negative binomial regression model (NB), Sulamnyah city in Kurdistan region- Iraq