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Alternative Fat Taxes to Control Obesity

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  • J. Clark
  • O. Dittrich

Abstract

This paper examines three alternative types of fat taxes to determine how effective they may be in reducing obesity. Upon the examination of the available evidence as to the effectiveness of fat taxes in reducing obesity authors conclude that all types of fat taxes are not sufficiently specific in targeting obesity. In some cases imposition of fat tax may actually lead to reversal of the intended effect. Therefore, the use of taxes to reduce obesity and promote healthy outcomes is not recommended. Copyright International Atlantic Economic Society 2010

Suggested Citation

  • J. Clark & O. Dittrich, 2010. "Alternative Fat Taxes to Control Obesity," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 16(4), pages 388-394, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:16:y:2010:i:4:p:388-394:10.1007/s11294-010-9282-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11294-010-9282-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schroeter, Christiane & Lusk, Jayson & Tyner, Wallace, 2008. "Determining the impact of food price and income changes on body weight," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 45-68, January.
    2. Smed, Sinne & Jensen, Jorgen Dejgaard & Denver, Sigrid, 2005. "Differentiated Food Taxes as a Tool in Health and Nutrition Policy," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24579, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Chouinard Hayley H & Davis David E & LaFrance Jeffrey T & Perloff Jeffrey M, 2007. "Fat Taxes: Big Money for Small Change," Forum for Health Economics & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 10(2), pages 1-30, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. J. Clark & O. Dittrich & Stephen Law & Qin Xu, 2014. "Nutrient Prices and Other Socio-Economic and Health Determinants of the Body Mass Index of Canadians," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 20(3), pages 249-258, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fat tax; Obesity; Nutrient index; Nutrition; Health; H2; I1;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health

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