What economic term could explain the higher cost of soda at school compared to a gas station?

The higher cost of soda at school compared to a gas station can be best explained by the concept of an excise tax. An excise tax is a specific tax imposed on certain goods, such as alcohol, tobacco, and sugary beverages, and it is often included in the price of the product. Schools might implement this type of tax to discourage consumption of unhealthy drinks or to cover the costs associated with their sales program. This additional cost could lead to a higher price for soda in the school environment compared to the lower prices found at a gas station, where such taxes may not be applicable or included in the selling price.

A tariff, subsidy, and import quota deal with different aspects of trade and economic support, but they do not directly address the pricing of consumer goods in a local retail context such as the difference in pricing between a school vending machine and a gas station. A tariff typically relates to taxes imposed on imported goods, a subsidy refers to financial assistance to encourage production or consumption, and an import quota limits the quantity of a good that can be imported.