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Raising cigarette taxes reduces suicide

Smoking may increase psychological risk factors for suicide – and raising taxes may lower them.

An American study has found that states with aggressive cigarette taxes had suicide rates up to 15% lower than the national average. Researchers at Washington University analysed data from 1990 to 2004 and found that raising tax by even small amounts decreased suicides. The effect was compounded by related laws such as bans on smoking inside.

This research breaks new ground in linking nicotine and depression.

Read more at Washington University

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