Smoking for taxes: the triumph of fiscal policy over health in postwar West Germany, 1945-51

Elliot, R. (2012) Smoking for taxes: the triumph of fiscal policy over health in postwar West Germany, 1945-51. Economic History Review, 65(4), pp. 1450-1474. (doi: 10.1111/j.1468-0289.2011.00639.x)

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Abstract

In the postwar period, the West German tobacco industry faced several challenges, not least competition from smuggled Virginia cigarettes. This reflected the Americanization of smoking tastes and threatened domestic tax revenue. The popular preference for ‘American blend’ cigarettes also hindered trade with Greece and Turkey, suppliers of Oriental tobacco to German manufacturers. The proposed solution was tax cuts to stimulate demand for domestically produced cigarettes. These proposals antagonized welfare groups, who saw tax cuts as a threat to the health of the population. The ensuing debates and settlement shed new light on the liberal smoking policies of postwar West

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Elliot, Dr Rosemary
Authors: Elliot, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Economic and Social History
Journal Name:Economic History Review
ISSN:0013-0117
ISSN (Online):1468-0289
Published Online:29 February 2012

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