Effects of Beverage Alcohol Price and Tax Levels on Drinking: A Meta-Analysis of 1003 Estimates From 112 Studies
Abstract
Aims
The researchers conducted a systematic review of studies examining relationships between measures of beverage alcohol tax or price levels and alcohol sales or self-reported alcohol use. A total of 112 studies of alcohol tax or price effects were found, containing 1003 estimates of the tax/price–consumption relationship.
Design
Studies included analyses of alternative outcome measures, varying subgroups of the population, several statistical models, and using different units of analysis. Multiple estimates were coded from each study, along with numerous study characteristics. Using reported estimates, standard errors, t-ratios, sample sizes, and other statistics, the researchers calculated the partial correlation for the relationship between alcohol price or tax and sales or alcohol use measures for each major model or subgroup reported within each study. Random-effects models were used to combine studies for inverse variance weighted overall estimates of the magnitude and significance of the relationship between alcohol tax/price and alcohol use.
Findings
Simple means of reported elasticities are −0.46 for beer, −0.69 for wine, and −0.80 for spirits. Meta-analytical results document the highly significant relationships (P < 0.001) between alcohol tax or price measures and indices of sales or consumption of alcohol (aggregate-level r = −0.17 for beer, −0.30 for wine, −0.29 for spirits, and −0.44 for total alcohol). Price/tax also affects heavy alcohol use significantly (mean reported elasticity = −0.28, individual-level r = −0.01, P < 0.01), but the magnitude of the effect is smaller than the effects on overall alcohol use.
Conclusions
A large literature establishes that beverage alcohol prices and taxes are related inversely to alcohol use. Effects are large compared to other prevention policies and programs. Public policies that raise the prices of alcohol are an effective means to reduce alcohol use.
