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The impacts of inclusive and exclusive taxes on healthy eating: An experimental study

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  • Chen, Xiu
  • Kaiser, Harry M.
  • Rickard, Bradley J.

Abstract

Based on a laboratory experiment conducted with 131 adults (non-students subjects), we empirically examine the differential impacts of an inclusive and exclusive tax on changing consumers’ eating behavior. We compare the caloric and nutrient content of the meals selected by the subjects using a difference-in-difference regression model to determine the efficacy of the policy treatments. The results indicate that an inclusive tax has a significantly stronger effect on reducing the consumption of total calories, calories from fat, and the intake of carbohydrates, cholesterol, sugar and sodium compared with an exclusive tax.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Xiu & Kaiser, Harry M. & Rickard, Bradley J., 2015. "The impacts of inclusive and exclusive taxes on healthy eating: An experimental study," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 13-24.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:56:y:2015:i:c:p:13-24
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2015.07.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Daniel John Zizzo & Melanie Parravano & Ryota Nakamura & Suzanna Forwood & Marc Suhrcke, 2021. "The impact of taxation and signposting on diet: an online field study with breakfast cereals and soft drinks," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 24(4), pages 1294-1324, December.
    3. Diansheng Dong & Yuqing Zheng & Hayden Stewart, 2020. "The effects of food sales taxes on household food spending: An application of a censored cluster model," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(5), pages 669-684, September.
    4. Cornelsen, Laura & Smith, Richard D., 2018. "Viewpoint: Soda taxes – Four questions economists need to address," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 138-142.
    5. Sunjin Ahn & Jayson L. Lusk, 2021. "Non‐Pecuniary Effects of Sugar‐Sweetened Beverage Policies," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(1), pages 53-69, January.
    6. Cornelsen, Laura & Quaife, Matthew & Lagarde, Mylene & Smith, Richard D., 2020. "Framing and signalling effects of taxes on sugary drinks: a discrete choice experiment among households in Great Britain," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 105777, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Jingdong Li & Weidong Liu & Zhouying Song, 2020. "Sustainability of the Adjustment Schemes in China’s Grain Price Support Policy—An Empirical Analysis Based on the Partial Equilibrium Model of Wheat," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-22, August.
    8. Burney, Shaheer, 2017. "The Impact of SNAP Participation on Sales of Carbonated Soda," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 259206, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Laura Cornelsen & Matthew Quaife & Mylene Lagarde & Richard D. Smith, 2020. "Framing and signalling effects of taxes on sugary drinks: A discrete choice experiment among households in Great Britain," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(10), pages 1132-1147, October.
    10. Wilson, Norbert L. W. & Zheng, Yuqing & Burney, Shaheer & Kaiser, Harry M., 2016. "Do Grocery Food Sales Taxes Cause Food Insecurity?," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235324, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Caro, Juan Carlos & Ng, Shu Wen & Taillie, Lindsey Smith & Popkin, Barry M., 2017. "Designing a tax to discourage unhealthy food and beverage purchases: The case of Chile," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 86-100.

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