Research

• Smoking Cessation as an Air Pollution Avoidance Behavior: the Unintended Benefit of Air Quality Information Disclosure in China (with Jiaojing Ding, Bohan Jin, and Zheming Yan, Revision Requested at JEBO)

Abstract: Air pollution and smoking are both significant economic factors and share intrinsic similarities, but their relationship has been unexplored. This paper provides the first causal investigation of the effect of air pollution on smoking. Using the rollout of a nationwide real-time air quality monitoring and disclosure program in China, we distinguish between the direct impact of air pollution by itself and the effect of enhanced awareness of air pollution. Drawing upon both individual-level survey data and city-level aggregate online search data, our findings indicate a lack of robust evidence supporting a direct impact of air pollution on smoking. However, we observe that an augmented awareness of air pollution resulting from informational exposure can lead to a reduction in smoking prevalence. Moreover, we demonstrate that this effect is particularly pronounced in major cities, attributed to the heightened media coverage of air pollution in these cities.

• The Political Economy of Air Pollution in China: Evidence from Political Leaders' visits (with Weibo Yan)

Abstract: This paper investigates influence activities within China’s political system by examining whether local officials strategically reduce air pollution during visits by top central leaders. Leveraging a newly compiled dataset of leadership visit schedules matched to daily air quality data, we find substantial and immediate improvements in air quality on visit days, especially when baseline pollution levels are high. Evidence indicates that these temporary improvements are driven by short-term shutdowns of coal-fired power plants. The effect is most pronounced during presidential visits and among local officials facing stronger political promotion incentives. Moreover, we find no evidence that such influence activities translate into meaningful career benefits for local officials. Instead, the short-term manipulation appears to displace long-term environmental governance efforts, suggesting a net social welfare loss.