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Report: Tearing Down California's Alcohol Regulations



   

California

Alcohol Justice released a new report on alcohol-related legislation introduced, passed and/or signed during the second half of the 2011-2012 California Legislative Session. This report illustrates the effectiveness of the millions of dollars of alcohol industry lobbying on California state government. Although the Legislature passed three alcohol-related bills with minor public health benefits, the prevailing legislative tide (six bills passed and signed) clearly pushes the alcohol industry’s bottom line higher than ever. As long as the California Legislature continues to cater to the interests of alcohol industry over the public, the cost of alcohol-related harm will only continue to increase.

 

Alcohol Use Costs New Hampshire More Than $1.15B Annually

   NewHampshire copyA new study released by PolEcon Research has found that excessive alcohol consumption costs the state of New Hampshire more than $1.15 billion annually in lost productivity and earnings, increased expenses for healthcare, and public safety. These costs represent 2% of the total personal income of the state, and do not include another $218.6 million lost annually by the almost 300 people who die prematurely as the result of alcohol consumption each year in New Hampshire. The new data comes at a time when the state is considering an increase on its beer tax, a proposal that the beer industry is fighting tooth and nail. The state and local governments’ share of the costs of alcohol consumption is about $251 million annually, a figure that could be offset by an increase in the beer tax.

 
 

Minimum Alcohol Pricing in Canada Reduces Harm

Stockwell

New research from Canada's Center for Addiction Research in British Columbia (CARBC) and Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows that minimum price polices on alcohol are effective in reducing alcohol-related harm. The evidence stems from British Columbia and Saskatchewan provinces, both of which experienced significant reductions in overall alcohol consumption after minimum pricing policies were put into effect. Researchers found that those who paid less per unit of alcohol tended to consume more drinks. These latest studies add to the evidence that higher pricing of alcohol is a powerful way to control consumption and lower negative affects. Public health advocates hope that this new evidence encourages other countries to adopt their own minimum alcohol pricing policies in order to mitigate the illnesses, injuries and social problems associated with alcohol misuse.
 
 

Take Action: Tell Jerry Brown to Adjust Alcohol Excise Tax

   

JerryBrown

Since 1991 Big Alcohol lobbying has resulted in California losing $1.8 billion in revenue. A simple inflation adjustment and a nickel a drink increase on beer and wine would generate an additional $641.7 million in 2013-2014, and $8.22 billion through 2023. Adjusting alcohol taxes is a sensible and fair way to address the State's looming budget deficit. Higher alcohol taxes are also sound public health policy. They are passed on to consumers, resulting in higher retail prices and reduced consumption. Reduced consumption will reduce the annual catastrophe of $38 billion in alcohol-related harm in California. It's time to tell California's elected leaders to stop the Big Alcohol subsidies, adjust the excise tax, increase revenues, and stem the tide of alcohol-related harm in the state.

- Read the Report            - Press Release               - Take Action 

 

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