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Norwegian

On Social Norms: The Evolution of Considerate Smoking Behavior

Authors:

Nyborg, K. and M. Rege

Year:

2003

Reference:

Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization

52 (3), 323-340

Summary

This paper studies the formation of social norms for considerate smoking behavior. Being considerate yields higher social approval from non-smokers, but also imposes an inconvenience cost. Non-smokers' disapproval of inconsiderate smoking is assumed to be stronger the less used they are to passive smoking. Introduction of a smoking regulation may then move society from an initial no-consideration equilibrium to an equilibrium in which a large share of smokers are considerate, even in the unregulated zone. Empirical evidence confirms that social norms have changed in Norway after the smoking law amendments in 1988, and supports the plausibility of model assumptions.

JEL:

C72, D11, I18

Keywords:

Passive smoking, regulation, social norms, evolutionary game theory

Project:

Oppdragsgiver:
Oppdragsgivers prosjektnr.:
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Contact:

karine.nyborg@frisch.uio.no