The Skinny on a Gas Tax
An economist argues that raising taxes on gasoline could have an unexpected benefit: a less obese population.
Michael Patrick Gibson 09/13/2007
- 6 Comments
There has been much debate about the best policies for reducing carbon emissions. The most common refrain heard from economists is simply that incentives matter: if gas prices increase, people will consume less gasoline (by driving less), and alternative fuels will become more feasible substitutes (by having a more competitive price).
While an increase in the gas tax remains a point of contention, not only among economists, but also among politicians and policy wonks, now supporters of a gas tax have another reason to offer to strengthen their argument: an increase in the price of gas will most likely lead to a less obese population.
In a recent research paper, Charles Courtemanche, an economist at the University of Washington, St. Louis, provides the empirical support. He writes,
"A causal relationship between gasoline prices and obesity is possible through mechanisms of increased exercise and decreased eating in restaurants. I use a fixed effects model to explore whether this theory has empirical support, finding that an additional $1 in real gasoline prices would reduce obesity in the U.S. by 15% after five years, and that 13% of the rise in obesity between 1979 and 2004 can be attributed to falling real gas prices during this period. I also provide evidence that the effect occurs both by increasing exercise and by lowering the frequency with which people eat at restaurants."
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110 Comments
gas tax makes you skinny...
I think that is pretty stupid.
If obesity is the target how about putting a tax on
food...make the tax a direct tax instead of some
indirect tax that might or might not have that effect.
Additionally, this sort of foolishness is just what the US needs...more nanny activity from the liberal side of the government.
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