Econ Papers Daily / 期刊论文
产品多样性、酒精购买行为与消费税的作用
Product Variety, Alcohol Purchases, and the Role of Excise Taxes
摘要
This study explores how product variety affects alcohol purchasing in the U.S., using store-level and household scanner data. By analyzing households that relocate to areas with different product availability and controlling for destination-specific consumption patterns, I document a positive relationship between increased product variety and higher alcohol purchases. I complement the household-level evidence with an analysis of two state-specific policy changes, the 2012 Washington liquor deregulation and the 2009 Illinois excise tax increase, to document that policies that raise prices, particularly the Washington liquor deregulation, are also associated with expanded product variety, which may partially offset the intended reduction in consumption. The results have important implications for public health: policymakers should be aware that alcohol market reforms can inadvertently increase product assortment and thereby stimulate consumption, particularly among the heaviest purchasers.
中文摘要
本研究探讨了产品多样性如何影响美国的酒精购买行为，利用店铺层面及家庭层面的扫描数据进行分析。通过考察搬迁至产品供应情况不同地区的家庭，并控制目的地特有的消费模式，我发现产品多样性的增加与酒精购买量的上升之间存在正相关关系。为补充家庭层面的证据，我还分析了两个州级政策变动——2012年华盛顿州酒类销售放松管制及2009年伊利诺伊州消费税上调——结果表明，提高价格的政策，尤其是华盛顿州的酒类销售放松管制，同样伴随着产品多样性的扩大，这可能部分抵消了预期的消费减少效果。这些发现对公共健康具有重要启示：政策制定者应认识到，酒类市场改革可能无意中增加产品种类，进而刺激消费，尤其是在购买量最大的消费群体中。