Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: A Problem Exists
Due Week 5 and worth 150 points
Using your thesis statement and research, present the problem that needs to be addressed with
your proposed solution. Note: Your solution, advantages, and challenges, will be in Parts 2 and
3.
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
1. Provide an appropriate title and an interesting opening paragraph to appeal to your stated
audience (appeal with logic, ethics, or emotion).
2. Include a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph. (Revised from
Assignment 2)
3. Describe the history and status of the issue and provide an overview of the problem(s)
that need to be addressed. This should be one or two (1-2) paragraphs.
4. Explain the first problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity,
inequity, ethical/moral, etc.) and provide support for your claims. This should be one or
two (1-2) paragraphs.
5. Explain the second problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity,
inequity, ethical/moral, etc.). and provide support for your claims. This should be one or
two (1-2) paragraphs.
6. Explain the third problem (economic, social, political, environmental, complexity,
inequity, ethical/moral, etc.) and provide support for your claims. This should be one or
two (1-2) paragraphs.
7. Provide a concluding paragraph that summarizes the stated problems and promises a
solution.
8. Develop a coherently structured paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
9. Use effective transitional words, phrases, and sentences throughout the paper.
10. Support claims with at least three (3) quality, relevant references. Use credible, academic
sources available through Strayer University’s Resource Center. 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.
Prepare a research project that supports an argument with structure and format
appropriate to the genre.
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.
Click here to view the grading rubric for this assignment.
Running head: TAX INCREMENT AND RISING MEDICAL COSTS
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Increment and Rising Medical Costs
Name
Institutional Affiliation
1
TAX INCREMENT AND RISING MEDICAL COSTS
2
Introduction
Studies have established that tobacco and alcohol consumption are among the leading
causes of preventable deaths in the world and the US in particular. The two substances are
correlated in consumption in that they are in most cases consumed together. Many people who
consume alcohol also smoke. Such people are at an increased risk of suffering health
complications such as heart diseases, cancers, and lung diseases. A study conducted by the
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA’s) between 2001 and 2002
showed that more than 46 million adult Americans used both alcohol and tobacco in 2000
(NIAA, 2007). Approximated 6.2 million of them reported nicotine dependence and AUD. One
of the leading reasons why people consume alcohol and tobacco is their availability and the fact
that they are cheap. The paper assumes that reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption will
efficiently minimize consumption of the two substances which will then minimize related disease
prevalence and as a result reduce medical costs. The thesis statement is, therefore “how increased
taxation on alcohol and tobacco will reduce medical costs.”
Law of demand
From economics, the price of demand and price of a commodity are inversely related.
The same way, the consumption of tobacco and alcohol is inversely related to its price. The
implication is that increasing prices of alcohol and tobacco is likely to substantially decrease
consumption of alcohol and tobacco which as a result will reduce prevalence to related diseases
(Elder, Lawrence, Ferguson, Naimi, Brewer, Chattopadhyay, . . . Fielding, 2010). One sure way
of efficiently increasing the prices of both commodities is using taxation. Increased taxation will
mean an increase in the unit quantity of alcohol or alcohol purchased by the consumer. Studies
TAX INCREMENT AND RISING MEDICAL COSTS
3
estimates have shown price elasticity of alcohol, for example, falls between -0.3 and -1.0. The
implication here is that increasing alcohol prices by 10% would result in between 3% and 10%
reduction in consumption of alcohol. Reducing consumption by 3% to 10% implies reducing the
prevalence of related diseases thus medical costs associated with the diseases (Elder, Lawrence,
Ferguson, Naimi, Brewer, Chattopadhyay,… Fielding, 2010).
Responsible Utilization Of The Funds Raised Through Increased Taxation To Enforce
Laws And Policies
The funds raised through increased taxes can, therefore, be used in enforcing anti-alcohol
and tobacco rules to manage the consumption of both substances. The money raised can be used
to set up rehabilitation programs for the already addicted people, conducting campaigns against
use of alcohol and tobacco, enforcing laws preventing people and especially children and youth
from consuming the substances and regulating, assessing and evaluating health and behavioral
effect of regulations of tobacco and alcohol consumption (HHS.gov, n.d.). Such will play a
significant role in minimizing consumption of both substances and in extension reduce resultant
medical costs.
Conclusion
Alcohol and tobacco consumption is a drawback to any economy especially when it
comes to healthcare related costs. Taxation is an efficient way to discourage consumption and
provide monetary resources required to enforce policies and regulations to minimize
consumption of alcohol and tobacco which results to reduced medical costs.
TAX INCREMENT AND RISING MEDICAL COSTS
4
References
Elder, R. W., Lawrence, B., Ferguson, A., Naimi, T. S., Brewer, R. D., Chattopadhyay, S. K., . . .
Fielding, J. E. (2010). The Effectiveness of Tax Policy Interventions for Reducing
Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms. American Journal of Preventive
Medicine, 38(2), 217-229. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2009.11.005
HHS.gov. (n.d.). Laws/Policies. Retrieved October 28, 2017, from
betobaccofree.hhs.gov/laws/index.html
National institute of alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAA). (2007, January). Retrieved October
28, 2017, from pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa71/aa71.html
Purchase answer to see full
attachment