Do People Support Sin Taxes? A Population Survey of Attitudes

• Author: Mayer Brezis,Rachel Marans
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.2202/1948-4682.1117
• Date: 01 December 2010
• Published date: 01 December 2010

World Medical & Health Policy

www.psocommons.org/wmhp

Vol. 2: Iss. 4, Article 4 (2010)

Do People Support Sin Taxes? A

Population Survey of Attitudes

Mayer Brezis, MD, MPH, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical

Center, Israel, and Stanford University, USA

Rachel Marans, MD, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center,

Israel

Abstract

Background: The rising costs of healthcare and the recognition that many chronic

diseases are preventable by healthy lifestyles h ave led to inquiry about economic

incentives for modifying behavior. Th e present work explored people’s attitudes

towards a differential health insurance premium based on lifestyle.

Methods: A random dial telephone survey of the Israeli population assessed the

degree of agreement with a policy of differential taxing on health insurance

premium with a discount for individuals maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as non-

smoking or regular exercise.

Results: A majority (66%) of respondents expressed support for a policy of

differential taxing. Support was high across all sectors of society, including Arab

Israelis (92%), Russians (71%), orthodox religious individuals (78%), persons with

low education (72%) or low income (69%), smokers (51%), and sedentary people

(65%).

Conclusion: A large majority of the population supports differential health

insurance premiums according to lifestyle.

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© 2010 Policy Studies Organization