Cornell Video

Four cities will be voting Nov. 8 on whether to tax soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Some proponents say the taxes would raise prices by exactly the amount of the tax, encouraging consumers to cut down on soda and improve their health. But research shows that prices might rise by only half that amount – or even less, according to Cornell economist John Cawley. Cawley is a professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell. His research focuses on the economics of risky health behaviors; in particular, those relating to obesity.