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The Impact of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax on Prices and Product Availability

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  • John Cawley
  • David Frisvold
  • Anna Hill
  • David Jones

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of Philadelphia’s beverage tax, enacted in 2017, on the prices and availability of both taxed and untaxed beverages. We find that, on average, distributors and retailers fully passed through the tax to consumers. We also find that the tax reduced the availability of taxed beverages and increased the availability of untaxed beverages, particularly bottled water, in Philadelphia stores.

Suggested Citation

  • John Cawley & David Frisvold & Anna Hill & David Jones, "undated". "The Impact of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax on Prices and Product Availability," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 2c61e71e08a64496895238c58, Mathematica Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:mpr:mprres:2c61e71e08a64496895238c58dccba89
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    File URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/pam.22201
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sugar-sweetened beverages; excise tax; prices; health; nutrition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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