Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

You are a policy advisor in the Ecuadorian government. The government would like to promote public health and raise more revenue by increasing cigarette taxes.

You are a policy advisor in the Ecuadorian government. The government would like to promote public health and raise more revenue by increasing cigarette taxes. The current average price (including any taxes) is $5.25 per pack (USD). The price elasticity of demand for cigarettes is -0.87. An estimated 150 million packs per year are currently sold.

a. If taxes are increased by $1.00 per pack, how many fewer packs will be sold?

b. How much tax revenue will be raised?

c. Calculate the deadweight loss associated with the tax.

d. Calculate the change in surplus associated with the above. (Graphs are required for this question.)

i. Consumer surplus

ii. Government surplus

iii. Social surplus

e. Based solely on the numbers in parts C&D, is society net better or worse off with this $1.00 tax?

f. As an astute CBA analyst and public health professional, you know that smoking incurs negative externalities (e.g., secondhand smoke). Externalities were not included in the simple elasticity report that you received from a market research firm. What is the minimum externality per pack if society is to be better off with the tax?

Step by Step Solution

3.50 Rating (170 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

a The price elasticity of demand for cigarettes is 087 Therefore a 1 increase in price will lead to a 087 decrease in quantity demanded If taxes are increased by 100 per pack which is a 1905 increase ... blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Microeconomics An Intuitive Approach with Calculus

Authors: Thomas Nechyba

1st edition

538453257, 978-0538453257

More Books

Students also viewed these Finance questions

Question

Why might employees differ in their valences for the same outcomes?

Answered: 1 week ago

Question

In Exercises 2132, calculate the derivative. (x) = x

Answered: 1 week ago