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Can Soft Drink Taxes Reduce Population Weight?

Author

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  • JASON M. FLETCHER
  • DAVID FRISVOLD
  • NATHAN TEFFT

Abstract

Soft drink consumption has been hypothesized as one of the major factors in the growing rates of obesity in the United States. Nearly two‐thirds of all states currently tax soft drinks using excise taxes, sales taxes, or special exceptions to food exemptions from sales taxes to reduce consumption of this product, raise revenue, and improve public health. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of changes in state soft drink taxes on body mass index (BMI), obesity, and overweight. Our results suggest that soft drink taxes influence BMI, but that the impact is small in magnitude.(JEL I18, H75)

Suggested Citation

  • Jason M. Fletcher & David Frisvold & Nathan Tefft, 2010. "Can Soft Drink Taxes Reduce Population Weight?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 28(1), pages 23-35, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:28:y:2010:i:1:p:23-35
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.2009.00182.x
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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