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Alternative Fat Taxes to Control Obesity

International Advances in Economic Research volume 16, pages 388–394 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper examines three alternative types of fat taxes to determine how effective they may be in reducing obesity. Upon the examination of the available evidence as to the effectiveness of fat taxes in reducing obesity authors conclude that all types of fat taxes are not sufficiently specific in targeting obesity. In some cases imposition of fat tax may actually lead to reversal of the intended effect. Therefore, the use of taxes to reduce obesity and promote healthy outcomes is not recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business and Social Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS, B2N-5E3, Canada

    J. Stephen Clark

  2. Department of Economic Theories, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Praha 6—Suchdol, Czech Republic

    O. Ludwig Dittrich

Authors
  1. J. Stephen Clark
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  2. O. Ludwig Dittrich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Stephen Clark.

Additional information

Supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (Project No. MSM6046070906).

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Clark, J.S., Dittrich, O.L. Alternative Fat Taxes to Control Obesity. Int Adv Econ Res 16, 388–394 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11294-010-9282-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11294-010-9282-z

Keywords

  • Fat tax
  • Obesity
  • Nutrient index
  • Nutrition
  • Health

JEL

  • H2
  • I1