Can higher cigarette taxes improve birth outcomes?

Article Abstract:

The effect of higher state cigarette taxes on the improvement of birth outcomes has been investigated. The study used data on 10.5 million births from the 1989-1992 Natality Detail files. The results showed a decrease in smoking among pregnant women and an increase in average birth weights when excise taxes were increased. The results were used to form an instrumental variables estimate of the impact of smoking on birth weight. It was shown that the smoking participation price elasticity was about -0.5.

Taxation, Excise taxes, Cigarettes, Smoking and women, Women smokers, Excise tax

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Unnatural monopoly

Article Abstract:

Costly market fragmentation can be minimized by exercising the benefits of a statutory monopoly. Under such market conditions, public enterprises bound to market prices at cost will not establish barriers to entry even as it emerges as a socially desirable objective. A trade-off arises between the removal of scale economies and the benefits from entry by more efficient private companies.

Market segmentation, Barriers to entry (Industrial organization), Barriers to entry, Monopolistic competition

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