A Factorial Experiment on the Impact of Unit Pricing on Low-Income Consumers

Minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been proposed as a more effective policy for reducing alcohol-related harms than general taxation. Growing international evidence points to its effectiveness in targeting high risk drinkers, but concerns about the impact on low risk drinkers and those on low incomes remain. This paper uniquely models the potential effect on both low risk and low income purchasers in a Scottish subsample of UK panel data from introducing a minimum unit price and addresses the impact of missing income data on the results. Weekly household purchases of cheap off-sales alcohol from Kantar Worldpanel (2008-2010) are analysed using Hausman-Taylor, Tobit and OLS models. Explanatory variables include economic and demographic characteristics of the households, average alcohol purchasing level for all off-sales alcohol, and characteristics of alcohol products purchased. The number of cheap alcohol units purchased are predicted by income group and purchasing level. Results indicate that the amount of cheap alcohol purchased is positively associated with the average purchasing level for all off-sales alcohol. Lower occupational group is associated with purchasing more units of cheap alcohol. Type of alcohol and purchasing alcohol on promotion are also highly significant. Predicted quantities of cheap alcohol purchased are not higher for the low-income group. Households in the top decile of alcohol purchasing level are predicted to purchase between 18 units of cheap alcohol weekly (low income) and 24 units (intermediate income). There was no evidence of bias due to missing income data. Minimum unit pricing for alcohol will have most impact on households purchasing the most alcohol, at all income levels. Restrictions on promotions should be considered as these are also associated with increased purchasing of cheap alcohol. Published: Online April 2018.

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The impacts of the food-feed-fuel competition on Brazilian food supply

Revista de Economia e Agronegócio ◽

10.25070/rea.v15i2.441 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 163-182

Author(s):

Danilo Rolim Dias de Aguiar ◽

Gabriella Nunes da Costa

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impacts ◽

Food Availability ◽

Low Income ◽

Food Supply ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Foreign Countries ◽

Access To Food ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Income Consumers

The impact of the so-called "food-feed-fuel competition" on hunger has been a major concern worldwide. In addition, the environmental impacts caused by increases in the production of certain foods have made food supplying even more challenging. As few studies have dealt with this issue in Brazil, this paper aims to evaluate the country's nutritional situation since 1995, focusing on the effects of producing animal feed and biofuels on both the domestic availability of food and the role of Brazil as a food supplier to foreign countries. We estimate the quantity of nutrients produced in the country, compare them with the necessities of Brazilians and estimate the population that could be fed by means of Brazilian exports. The results indicate that despite the food-feed-fuel competition, the supply of food has increased and has been sufficient to nourish all Brazilians plus a number even larger of foreigners. As food availability is adequate, the large number of Brazilians still exposed to undernourishment reflects the limited access to food by low-income consumers. We also conclude that Brazil could contribute even more to feed foreigners if policies were implemented aiming to induce farmers to produce a different sort of products.

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Short and Long-Term Perspectives: The Impact on Low-Income Consumers of Forecasted Energy Price Increases in 2008 and A Cap & Trade Carbon Policy in 2030

10.2172/931114 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Joel Fred Eisenberg

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Energy Price ◽

Carbon Policy ◽

Price Increases ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Income Consumers

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The impact of forecasted energy price increases on low-income consumers

10.2172/1182145 ◽

2005 ◽

Author(s):

Joel F. Eisenberg

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Energy Price ◽

Price Increases ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Income Consumers

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Regulating the Price of Consumer Credit

Journal of Marketing ◽

10.1177/002224297103500405 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 21-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

John J. Wheatley ◽

Guy G. Gordon

Keyword(s):

Consumer Protection ◽

Low Income ◽

Free Market ◽

Consumer Credit ◽

Market Process ◽

Protection Devices ◽

Credit Channels ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Income Consumers

Laws to limit the rate of interest or service charges on consumer credit are presented as consumer protection devices on the grounds that credit grantors have an advantage over their customers. Opponents of such laws argue that they impair the free market process, that consumers will have to pay credit costs indirectly (such as through increased prices), and that low-income consumers may be forced out of regular credit channels and into the arms of illegal loan sharks. This article summarizes a study to determine the impact of a credit rate limitation law on businesses and consumers.

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Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000210 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 84 (5-6) ◽

pp. 244-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robert J. Karp ◽

Gary Wong ◽

Marguerite Orsi

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Energy Content ◽

Food Selection ◽

The United States ◽

United States Department ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Caloric Density ◽

Low Income Families ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

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