Impact of alcohol and tobacco consumption on poverty: A study in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the consumption patterns of alcoholic beverages and tobacco in Vietnam, focusing on differences by residential area, household head gender, and household income. Using household-level data from the 2018 Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS 2018), the findings reveal that the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, as well as their concurrent consumption, is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Additionally, households headed by men are more likely to consume these substances than those headed by women. Moreover, significant differences in alcohol and tobacco expenditure are observed across  income groups, with higher-income households exhibiting greater spending. However, the proportion of alcohol and tobacco expenditure relative to total household spending does not differ significantly between poor and non-poor households, indicating that the financial burden of these substances is comparable across income levels. These findings provide a critical foundation for policy discussions on controlling alcohol and tobacco consumption. Potential interventions include increasing taxes, restricting advertising, and raising public awareness to mitigate the negative public health impacts of these substances.