The government is considering placing a tax on cigarettes to raise revenue to finance health-care benefits. The demand for cigarettes is price inelastic Which of the following statements is True ?
Correct answer: B. The tax on cigarettes may not raise as much revenue as anticipated in the years to com because the demand for cigarettes is likely to become more elastic over time.
- A. This tax will not raise much revenue either in the short term or the long term since demand is price inelastic
- B. The tax on cigarettes may not raise as much revenue as anticipated in the years to com because the demand for cigarettes is likely to become more elastic over time.
- C. This a very good way to raise revenue both in the short term and in the long term, because there are no substitutes for cigarettes.
- D. No tax revenue can be raised in this way because sellers of cigarette will just lower their price by the amount of the tax and therefore, the price of cigarettes to consumers will not change
Explanation
Inelastic demand means a cigarette tax can raise substantial revenue initially because consumption falls little. Over time, consumers can adjust more easily, making demand more elastic and reducing the revenue compared with the original forecast.
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Government revenue and expenditure are analysed through taxation, public borrowing, budgets, subsidies, transfers and public debt. The topic explains how fiscal policy affects resource allocation, income distribution, economic stability and growth, while distinguishing direct from indirect taxes, progressive from regressive taxation, and public goods from goods supplied by private markets.
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