Informational Regulation of Consumer Health Risks: An Empirical Evaluation of Hazard Warnings
基于近400名消费者的调查数据，评估消费者行为是否对监管要求提供的产品危险信息有反应，发现消费者预防措施与风险水平、信息量、具体风险和预防措施以及安全预防的经济收益一致，支持将产品危险信息作为更直接安全监管的替代方案。
On the basis of data from a survey of almost 400 consumers, this article assesses whether consumer behavior is responsive to information about product hazards that is provided in response to regulation.Wefind that the extent to which consumers take precautions is consistent with the level of risk indicated, the amount of risk information, the specific risk and precaution indicated, and the economic benefits of safety precautions.We also use the patterns ofprecautionary behavior to analyze the implicit value of the morbidity effects and to assess the consistency of consumer choices.Our findings support the use of product-hazard information as an alternative to more direct regulation of safety risks.