Social Return on Investment Analysis Framework: A Case Study of a Campaign to Reduce E-Cigarette Use Among Children and Youth

Authors

  • Chardsumon Prutipinyo Department of Public Health Administration, Faculty of Public Health Administration, Mahidol University

Keywords:

Social Return on Investment, SROI, Campaign to Reduce E-Cigarette, Children and Youth

Abstract

This article presents a structured framework for Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of an anti-e-cigarette campaign targeting youth in Thailand. Applying the Theory of Change model, a conceptual framework, procedures, and processes for analyzing Social Return on Investment (SROI), using a case study of a campaign project aimed at preventing e-cigarette use among children and youth. The analysis begins with the Theory of Change framework and evaluates the SROI according to international standards.

The primary target group includes 10,000 youths, their families, and the public health system. The project has a budget of 1,000,000 THB, covering costs for all activities and coordination. The Theory of Change outlines the assumptions used in the outcome evaluation. It assumes that 15% of the target group are at risk of starting to vape. The project effectiveness is estimated at 30%. The financial proxy, or the estimated lifetime healthcare cost savings per person, is 200,000 THB. The number of individuals at risk is 1,500, with 450 individuals expected to benefit directly. The total value of the benefits is estimated at 90,000,000 THB. Net impact is calculated over a 5-year horizon, adjusting for deadweight, attribution, and an annual drop-off rate of 10%. The present value of benefits, discounted at 5%, is 9,667,730 Baht. The resulting SROI ratio is 9.67:1, indicating that every 1 Baht invested returns 9.67 Baht in social value. Sensitivity analysis reveals that SROI range from 4:1 (worst case) to 15:1 (best case).

These findings demonstrate significant potential for cost-effective public health interventions.

References

Cabinet Office (UK). (2018). The Green Book: Central Government Guidance on Appraisal and Evaluation. HM Treasury.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). E-cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: Health Effects and Cost Impact.

Connell, J. P., & Kubisch, A. C. (1998). Applying a theory of change approach to the evaluation of comprehensive community initiatives. The Aspen Institute.

Fiscal Policy Office. (2022). Guidelines for Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for Public Sector Projects. (Thai version)

Fujiwara, D. (2015). The Seven Principle SROI Case Studies. Simetrica Ltd, for HACT UK.

HM Treasury, UK. Valuing the Future: The social discount rate in cost-benefit analysis

Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI). (2019). Economic Impact Costs from Risk Behaviors Among Thai Youth. (Thai version)

Ilab, Opus. (2018). The cost of smoking in Thailand. A study often cited for economic burden of tobacco use.

Goodchild, M., Nargis, N., & Tursan d’Espaignet, E. (2018). The economic cost of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in Thailand, 2017. Tobacco Control, 27(5), 546–551. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054005

Koleros, A., Adrien, M. H., & Tyrrell, T. (Eds.). (2024). Theories of change in reality. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032669618

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2020). Public Health Economic Modelling.

Social Value International The SROI Standard. Draft for public consultation https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60dc51e3c58aef413ae5c975/t/67be098c26e36b6b553bb496/1740507547785/Standards+for+Applying+the+Principles+of+Social+Value+-+Final+for+Public+Consultation+pdf.pdf

NECTEC. (2020). Thailand Social Cost of Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption.

Nicholls, J., Lawlor, E., Neitzert, E., & Goodspeed, T. (2012). A Guide to Social Return on Investment. The SROI Network. https://roadsafetyevaluation.com/docs/social-return-on-investment.pdf

OECD Global Action. (2021) Social Impact measurement for the Social and Solidarity Economy Promoting Social & Solidarity Economy Ecosystems. .(Thai version) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2021/09/social-impact-measurement-for-the-social-and-solidarity-economy_ad1ac935/d20a57ac-en.pdf

Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) Impact Management for the Real World (article) Stanford Social Innovation Review - Impact Measurement

Taplin, D., & Clark, H. (2012). Theory of Change basics: A primer on theory of change. Acknowledge. https://www.theoryofchange.org/wp-content/uploads/toco_library/pdf/ToCBasics.pdf

The Center for Theory of Change. Theory of Change Basics: A Primer on Theory of Change. https://www.theoryofchange.org/what-is-theory-of-change/

Thai Health Promotion Foundation. (2014). Social Return on Investment (SROI): Selected Cases from Thai Health Promotion Foundation. (Thai version) Retrieved from https://dol.thaihealth.or.th/Media/Pdfview/dbfdf5da-938c-e711-80e3-00155d65ec2e

ThaiHealth (Thai Health Promotion Foundation). (2021). Report on the Tobacco Situation Among Thai Children and Youth.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). SET SROI Manual: A Guide to Social Return on Investment (SROI) Evaluation. (Thai version) Retrieved from https://www.setsocialimpact.com/Article/Detail/68884

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Youth and Tobacco Use – Health Effects and Costs World Health Organization. (2021). Toolkit for school-based tobacco control programs

USAID Learning Lab. (2015). Theory of change workbook: A step-by-step process for developing or strengthening theories of change. https://usaidlearninglab.org/resources/theory-change-workbook-step-step-process-developing-or-strengthening-theories-change

Vogel, I. (2012). Review of the use of “Theory of Change” in international development. UK Department for International Development (DFID). https://www.theoryofchange.org/pdf/DFID_ToC_Review_VogelV7.pdf

Downloads

Published

2025-05-07

How to Cite

Prutipinyo, C. . (2025). Social Return on Investment Analysis Framework: A Case Study of a Campaign to Reduce E-Cigarette Use Among Children and Youth. Public Health Policy and Laws Journal, 11(2), 397–415. retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journal_law/article/view/282098

Issue

Section

Academic Article / Perspectives