Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP10860
Authors: Ali Palali; Jan C. van Ours
Abstract: If two partners smoke, their quit behavior may be related through correlation in unobserved individual characteristics and common external shocks. However, there may also be a causal effect whereby the quit behavior of one partner is affected by the quit decision of the other partner. We use data on Dutch partnered individuals to study the relevance of such spousal peer effects. After controlling for common unobserved heterogeneity and common external shocks, we find that such spousal peer effects in the decision to quit smoking do not exist. Apparently, love conquers all but nicotine addiction.
Keywords: Causal; Peer Effects; Smoking Cessation
JEL Codes: I10; I18
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Quit behavior of one partner (J12) | Probability that the other partner quits smoking (J26) |
| Correlated unobserved characteristics (C29) | Apparent association between partners' quit behavior (C92) |
| Assortative matching and common external shocks (C78) | Similarities in smoking behavior between partners (J12) |