Assignment
Tax, Alcohol & Tobacco, and Medical Costs
Research & Writing
Research proposal
Taxation of Alcohol and Tobacco, and its Impact on Medical Costs
There has always been tax on harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol, mostly in the form of ‘sin tax.' In as much as these taxes have been put in place to reduce the consumption of these substances, especially among low-income people and teenagers. Every year, millions of people and families are pushed into poverty because of rising healthcare costs. For this reason, governments are being forced to increase the share of healthcare costs which they cover, in an attempt to reduce the healthcare expenses for patients that have the potential to leave them in financial catastrophe. The best way for governments to accomplish this is through increasing the tax rates on tobacco and alcohol. The matter has been the subject of a great debate, and it forms the basis of this research paper. The hypothesis is that taxes on these substances should be increased so that governments can be in a better position to offset the medical bills of substance users and the public alike.
Characteristics of the audience for this research paper
The audience consists of the substance users and governments. These two are the core of the discussion, seeing as it is both their actions that determine the next step with regards to managing healthcare for substance abusers.
The audience can either agree or disagree with the findings of this research papers. Seeing as this research does not represent any form of legal documentation, the audience is at liberty to either support its findings or disagree with them.
Both audiences have a direct influence in the findings of this paper
Scope of the study
The study will explore the effect of taxation on alcohol and tobacco use, and how it reflects on the provision of medical services.
Outline
Introduction
Statement of the problem
Scope of the study
Research questions
Literature review
Analysis and discussion
Conclusion
Question to be answered
Should tax on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for medical costs?
Answering this question will provide the much needed insight on the topic under study
Research Plan and organization
Topic: Taxation of Alcohol and Tobacco, and its Impact on Medical Costs
Investigator:
Hypothesis and research question
The overall goal of this study is to ascertain the impact of alcohol and tobacco taxation. The research question is:
Should tax on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for medical costs?
Research methods
Observational research
Secondary data.
Primary sources
Volume 14. Effectiveness of tax and price policies for tobacco control. In: IARC Handbooks of cancer prevention. Lyon: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2011.
Cook, P. J. (2007). Paying the Tab: The costs and benefits of alcohol control. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Smith, D. E., & Mitry, D. J. (2006). Consumer sensitivity to changes in tax policy on consumption of alcohol. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 30(3), 247-255.
Kostova et al. Prices and cigarette demand: evidence from youth tobacco use in developing countries. NBER Working Paper Series. Working Paper #15781. Cambridge MA: National Bureau of Economic Research; 2010.
Secondary sources
European Commission database on excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and energy. Brussels: European Commission, Taxation and Customs Union; 2014 (https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/excise_duties/tobacco_products/index_en.htm accessed 22 October 2016).
World Health Organization Website: https://www.who.int/en/
Excise Duties and Levies website: https://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Customs-Excise/Excise/Pages/default.aspx
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Assignment: Persuasive Paper Part 2: Solution and Advantages
Using feedback from your professor and classmates, revise Part 1 and develop the solution and identify the advantages of the solution. Note: The disadvantages or challenges with your answers will be in Part 3.
Write a six to eight page paper in which you:
Provide Part I: Revision of A Problem Exists (3-4 pages)
1. Revise, using feedback from the professor and classmates, your Persuasive Paper Part I: A Problem Exists.
Develop Part 2: Solution to Problem and Advantages (3-4 pages for 6-8 pages total)
2. Include a defensible, relevant thesis statement clearly in the first paragraph. (The thesis statement may need to be modified to reflect added information and purpose of this part.)
3. Explain a detailed, viable solution that supports your thesis. This should be one or two paragraphs.
4. State, explain, and support the first advantage (economic, social, political, environmental, social, equitable, ethical/moral, etc.) to your solution. This should be one or two paragraphs.
5. State, explain, and support the second advantage (economic, social, political, environmental, social, equitable, ethical/moral, etc.) to your solution. This should be one or two paragraphs.
6. State, explain, and support the third (and fourth if desired) advantage (economic, social, political, environmental, social, equitable, ethical/moral, etc.) to your solution. This should be one or two paragraphs.
7. Use effective transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
8. Provide a concluding paragraph / transitional paragraph that summarizes the proposed solution and its advantages.
9. Develop a coherently structured paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
10. Use one or more rhetorical strategies (ethos, logos, pathos) to explain advantages.
11. Support advantage claims with at least three additional quality relevant references. Use at least six total for Parts 1 and 2. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting guidelines:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Note: Submit your assignment to the designated plagiarism program so that you can make revisions before submitting your paper to your professor.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Recognize the elements and correct use of a thesis statement.
• Recognize the use of summary, paraphrasing, and quotation to communicate the main points of a text.
• Analyze the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, logos in writing samples and for incorporation into essays or presentations.
• Correct grammatical and stylistic errors consistent with Standard Written English.
• Prepare a research project that supports an argument with structure and format appropriate to the genre.
• Revise drafts to improve clarity, support, and organization. Recognize how to organize ideas with transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Incorporate relevant, properly documented sources to substantiate ideas.
• Write clearly and concisely about selected topics using proper writing mechanics.
• Use technology and information resources to research selected issues for this course.