Research Seminar: John Cawley (Cornell University)

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases such as diabetes have risen dramatically worldwide in recent decades.  One of the most common policy responses is to tax sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as soda pop.  This presentation examines the effects of the city-level taxes on SSBs in the United States, in terms of their impact on retail prices (i.e. the pass-through of the taxes), on purchases/sales, consumption, and body-mass index.  Considerations for the design of such taxes are discussed.

Local Organizer: Stephanie Heger