Table 1 Measurements and expected signs of variables
Variable | Definition/measurement | Source | Expected sign |
|---|---|---|---|
Prevalence of tobacco consumption | The percentage of people aged 15 years and above who currently use any tobacco product | WB’s WDI | Not applicable |
FDI | Net inflows of FDI as a percentage of GDP | WB’s WDI | +/− |
Trade | 1. Imports plus exports as a share of GDP (Trade openness) 2. Imports as a share of GDP | WB’s WDI | +/− |
Tobacco tax | Total tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes expressed as a percentage of the retail cost (price) of the most popular (mostly sold) brand of cigarettes. This indicator is used because we do not have data on tobacco taxes. In addition, using cigarette tax to proxy tobacco tax is justified because according to the WHO [19], cigarettes are the most widely used tobacco products | WHO | – |
Education | Gross primary school enrolment as a ratio of the total population of individuals in the official age category for primary education | WB’s WDI | – |
Income | Growth rate of per capita GDP | WB’s WDI | +/− |