Tobacco Nation residents are less well-off financially than those in the rest of the U.S., and consequently spend a higher percentage of their disposable income on tobacco.
Individuals living in Tobacco Nation earn nearly 25% less per year (the median household income is $48,708) than the typical resident within the rest of the U.S. ($60,990). In addition, 17% of its population lives below the poverty line of $24,600 per year for a family of four.
Tobacco Nation shows that the tobacco epidemic disproportionately burdens those least financially able to afford it — a valuable consumer base for tobacco companies. The tobacco industry has a history of targeting those with lower incomes, combating tobacco tax increases and investing enormous financial resources into strategies to keep prices low, including coupons and discounts.