Jensen, Beghin discuss sugar tax

Voters in Berkeley, California approved a tax on soft drinks in November, making them the first municipality in the US to pass such a measure in an attempt to fight rising obesity rates. While the tax is well-intentioned, two CARD economists, Helen Jensen and John Beghin, say they question whether it will be effective.

The duos skepticism of the tax dates back to 2011, when they studied such policies and wrote an article for Contemporary Economic Policy (http://bit.ly/1vYv9Vy) that concluded the tax would be more effective if it were directed at processors, not consumers.

The full story can be found on the ISU News Service http://bit.ly/1u0Wf97, or the Ames Tribune http://bit.ly/1A1MHzf.

(Released December 2014)