The central purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of alcohol taxes on consumption and traffic fatalities. Our approach improves on most previous work in three ways. First, we carefully examine the available data on taxes and beverage prices. We assess their reliability by comparing them to detailed Consumer Price Indices for beer, wine, and spirits, and by performing formal statistical tests. Second, we estimate separate relationships between taxes and prices, prices and consumption, and consumption and fatalities. Specifically, we estimate the extent to which alcohol taxes are passed forward to beverage prices, the extent to which consumers respond by decreasing consumption, and the effects of reduced consumption on fatalities. Third, we estimate the degree to which increases in the price of one beverage cause consumers to substitute other beverages, and thus, the effectiveness of tax increases in reducing total alcohol consumption. For example, increased spirits taxes may cause consumers to increase their consumption of beer or wine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AA013264-02
Application #
6533668
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-FF (03))
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2002-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$70,750
Indirect Cost
Name
Montana State University Bozeman
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
City
Bozeman
State
MT
Country
United States
Zip Code
59717
Young, Douglas J; Bielinska-Kwapisz, Agnieszka (2003) Alcohol consumption, beverage prices and measurement error. J Stud Alcohol 64:235-8