Obesity and smoking: can we catch two birds with one tax?

Dragone, Davide ; Manaresi, Francesco ; Savorelli, Luca (2013) Obesity and smoking: can we catch two birds with one tax? Bologna: Dipartimento di Scienze economiche DSE, p. 28. DOI 10.6092/unibo/amsacta/3891. In: Quaderni - Working Paper DSE (873). ISSN 2282-6483.
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Abstract

The debate on tobacco taxes and fat taxes often treats smoking and eating as independent behaviors. However, since there exists medical and sociological evidence about the interdependence between eating and smoking choices, antismoking policies may also affect the obesity prevalence and fat taxes could influence smoking behavior. We address this issue from a theoretical standpoint and propose a dynamic rational model where eating and smoking are simultaneous choices that jointly affect body weight and addiction to smoking. Focusing on direct and cross price effects, we compare tobacco taxes and fat taxes and we show that a single policy tool can reduce both smoking and body weight. In particular, fat taxes can be more effective than tobacco taxes at simultaneously fighting obesity and smoking.

Abstract
Document type
Monograph (Working Paper)
Creators
CreatorsAffiliationORCID
Dragone, Davide
Manaresi, Francesco
Savorelli, Luca
Keywords
Addiction, Fat Tax, Obesity, Smoking, Tobacco
Subjects
ISSN
2282-6483
DOI
Deposit date
05 Dec 2013 09:27
Last modified
19 Feb 2014 08:43
URI

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