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An Analysis of Beverage Size Restrictions

Author

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  • Bourquard, Brian A.

    (Ernst & Young)

  • Wu, Steven Y.

    (Purdue University)

Abstract

Due to high levels of obesity, various government interventions have been proposed to curb the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The New York City "soda-ban," which proposed to limit the size of SSBs is among the most well-known and controversial. While public debates about beverage-size-restrictions tend to focus on how consumers are impacted, we use a nonlinear pricing model to show that, for all but extremely tight restrictions, consumer welfare would be unaffected by an enforceable restriction. However, sellers' profit would decline. While consumption is predicted to decline overall, the magnitude of the decline will vary by consumer segment.

Suggested Citation

  • Bourquard, Brian A. & Wu, Steven Y., 2019. "An Analysis of Beverage Size Restrictions," IZA Discussion Papers 12376, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12376
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. José G. Nuño‐Ledesma, 2022. "A portion cap rule with two products: An experimental evaluation," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 70(2), pages 123-137, June.
    2. Jose G. Nuno‐Ledesma, 2021. "An Analysis of Portion Cap Rules with a Multiproduct Seller," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(5), pages 1820-1831, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    beverage size restrictions; health economics; nonlinear pricing; obesity; soda bans; sugar consumption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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