We examine the optimal design of public policies directed at controlling the consumption of tobacco. The public authority uses two types of instruments: (i) an excise tax, that hinders consumption by increasing the price of cigarettes, and (ii) prevention and control programs, that reduce smoking by increasing consumers’ awareness about future health harm. On the normative side, the analysis focuses on the optimal mix between the two types of instruments when the objective of the policy maker is to maximize social welfare. On the positive side, the paper investigates how the lobbying activities of the tobacco industry and of anti-tobacco organizations may distort government intervention.

Optimality and distortionary lobbying: control policies of cigarette consumption

GALMARINI, UMBERTO
2011-01-01

Abstract

We examine the optimal design of public policies directed at controlling the consumption of tobacco. The public authority uses two types of instruments: (i) an excise tax, that hinders consumption by increasing the price of cigarettes, and (ii) prevention and control programs, that reduce smoking by increasing consumers’ awareness about future health harm. On the normative side, the analysis focuses on the optimal mix between the two types of instruments when the objective of the policy maker is to maximize social welfare. On the positive side, the paper investigates how the lobbying activities of the tobacco industry and of anti-tobacco organizations may distort government intervention.
2011
XXIII Conferenza 2011 - Società Italiana di Economia Pubblica (SIEP) - Crisi economica, welfare e crescita
XXIII Conferenza 2011 - Società Italiana di Economia Pubblica (SIEP) - Crisi economica, welfare e crescita
Pavia
19-20 settembre 2011
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/1791041
 Attenzione

L'Ateneo sottopone a validazione solo i file PDF allegati

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact