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Keyes KM, Rutherford C, Patrick ME, Platt JM, Kloska DD, Jager J. Reasons for alcohol use from 1976 to 2020 in the United States among individuals aged 18 to 30: Historical changes and mediation of cohort effects in binge drinking. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:1107-1121. [PMID: 38795320 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use is declining among US adolescents/early young adults and increasing among other adults, with increases in adult binge drinking more concentrated in females than males. Reasons for drinking are historically patterned by age and sex, and if historically variant, could suggest that changes over time could in part explain age- and sex-differential cohort effects. METHODS We analyzed longitudinal Monitoring the Future data for individuals born from 1958 to 1990. These individuals were aged 29/30 from 1987 to 2020, and first surveyed at age 18 from 1976 to 2008 (N = 14,190). Five reasons for drinking were analyzed (social, enhancement, avoid problems, relax, boredom). Drinking for social reasons and to relax were most prevalent. Total effects of birth cohort predicting past-2-week binge drinking were estimated with polynomial regression models by age; indirect effects through mediators were estimated. RESULTS Drinking reasons exhibited dynamic time trends across birth cohort and sex. Notable increases were observed in social reasons: among women aged 29/30, social reasons increased from 53% to 87% from 1987 to 2020. Social reasons to drink had prominent positive indirect effects at adult ages (age 23/24 and above among men; age 19 and above among women), indicating that binge drinking would have increased less were it not for the increase in social reasons for drinking. Social reasons also mediated adult male/female differences, indicating that part of the reason sex differences are diminishing is the more rapid increases in social reasons for drinking among women. Indirect effects were also observed for drinking to relax and for boredom, and limited indirect effects were observed for enhancement and to avoid problems. CONCLUSION Changing endorsement of drinking reasons, especially social reasons, among US adult drinkers mediate cohort effects in binge drinking in the US adult population and explain in part why binge drinking is converging by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline Rutherford
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Megan E Patrick
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jonathan M Platt
- University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Deborah D Kloska
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Justin Jager
- School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Mostofsky E, Buring JE, Mukamal KJ. Beer taxes associate with lower alcohol and cigarette use; cigarette taxes associate with lower cigarette but higher alcohol use. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38700943 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2024.2321872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Background: There is a yet unmet opportunity to utilize data on taxes and individual behaviors to yield insight for analyzing studies involving alcohol and cigarette use.Objectives: To inform the direction and strength of their mutual associations by leveraging the fact that taxation can affect individual consumption, but individual consumption cannot affect taxation.Methods: We linked state-level data on cigarette and beer taxes in 2009-2020 with individual-level data on self-reported current cigarette and alcohol use from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that is representative of the population of each state in the United States. We constructed linear and logistic models to examine associations between a $1 increase in cigarette taxes per pack and a $1 increase in beer taxes per gallon and self-reported cigarette use and alcohol consumption (assessed as any current intake, average drinks/day, heavy drinking, and binge drinking), adjusting for survey year and individual characteristics.Results: Among 2,968,839,352 respondents (49% male), a $1 increase in beer taxes was associated with .003 (95% confidence interval [CI] -.013, .008) fewer drinks/day and lower odds of any drinking (odds ratio [OR] = .81 95%CI .80, .83), heavy drinking (OR = .96 95%CI .93, .99), binge drinking (OR = .82 95%CI .80, .83), and smoking (OR = .98 95%CI .96, 1.00). In contrast, a $1 increase in cigarette taxes was associated with lower odds of smoking (OR = .94 95%CI .94, .95) but .007 (95%CI .005, .010) more drinks/day, and higher odds of any drinking (OR = 1.10 95%CI 1.10, 1.11), heavy drinking (OR = 1.02 95%CI 1.01, 1.02), and binge drinking (OR = .82 95%CI .80, .83).Conclusion: Higher beer taxes were associated with lower odds of drinking and smoking, but higher cigarette taxes were associated with lower odds of smoking and higher alcohol consumption. These results suggest that alcohol intake may be a determinant of cigarette use rather than cigarette use as a determinant of alcohol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Mostofsky
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie E Buring
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth J Mukamal
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Manthey J, Gobiņa I, Isajeva L, Neneman J, Reile R, Štelemėkas M, Rehm J. The Impact of Raising Alcohol Taxes on Government Tax Revenue: Insights from Five European Countries. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2024; 22:363-374. [PMID: 38386271 PMCID: PMC11021250 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-024-00873-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Reducing the affordability of alcoholic beverages by increasing alcohol excise taxation can lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption but the impact on government alcohol excise tax revenue is poorly understood. This study aimed to (a) describe cross-country tax revenue variations and (b) investigate how changes in taxation were related to changes in government tax revenue, using data from Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. METHODS For the population aged 15 years or older, we calculated the annual per capita alcohol excise tax revenue, total tax revenue, gross domestic product and alcohol consumption. In addition to descriptive analyses, joinpoint regressions were performed to identify whether changes in alcohol excise taxation were linked to changes in alcohol excise revenue since 1999. RESULTS In 2022, the per capita alcohol excise tax revenue was lowest in Germany (€44.2) and highest in Estonia (€218.4). In all countries, the alcohol excise tax revenue was mostly determined by spirit sales (57-72% of total alcohol tax revenue). During 2010-20, inflation-adjusted per capita alcohol excise tax revenues have declined in Germany (- 22.9%), Poland (- 19.1%) and Estonia (- 4.2%) and increased in Latvia (+ 56.8%) and Lithuania (+ 49.3%). In periods of policy non-action, alcohol consumption and tax revenue showed similar trends, but tax level increases were accompanied by increased revenue and stagnant or decreased consumption. CONCLUSIONS Increasing alcohol taxation was not linked to decreased but increased government revenue. Policymakers can increase revenue and reduce alcohol consumption and harm by increasing alcohol taxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Manthey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Inese Gobiņa
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Laura Isajeva
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jarosław Neneman
- Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Rainer Reile
- Department for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Mindaugas Štelemėkas
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Program on Substance Abuse, Program on Substance Abuse and WHO CC, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
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Cook WK, Kerr WC, Zhu Y, Bright S, Buckley C, Kilian C, Lasserre AM, Llamosas-Falcón L, Mulia N, Rehm J, Probst C. Alcoholic beverage types consumed by population subgroups in the United States: Implications for alcohol policy to address health disparities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:946-955. [PMID: 38316528 PMCID: PMC11052671 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to identify alcoholic beverage types more likely to be consumed by demographic subgroups with greater alcohol-related health risk than others, mainly individuals with low socio-economic status, racial/ethnic minority status and high drinking levels. METHODS Fractional logit modelling was performed using a nationally representative sample of US adult drinkers (analytic N = 37,657) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Waves 2 (2004-2005) and 3 (2012-2013). The outcomes were the proportions of pure alcohol consumed as beer, wine, liquor and coolers (defined as wine-/malt-/liquor-based coolers, hard lemonade, hard cider and any prepackaged cocktails of alcohol and mixer). RESULTS Adults with lower education and low or medium income were more likely to drink beer, liquor and coolers, while those with a 4-year college/advanced degree and those with high income preferred wine. Excepting Asian adults, racial/ethnic minority adults were more likely to drink beer (Hispanics) and liquor (Blacks), compared with White adults. High- or very-high-level drinkers were more likely to consume liquor and beer and less likely to consume wine (and coolers), compared with low-level drinkers. High-level and very-high-level drinkers, who were less than 10% of all drinkers, consumed over half of the total volume of beer, liquor and coolers consumed by all adults. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Individuals with low socio-economic status, racial/ethnic minority status or high drinking level prefer liquor and beer. As alcohol taxes, sales and marketing practices all are beverage-specific, targeted approaches to reduce consumption of these beverages, particularly among individuals with these profiles, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Kim Cook
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emerville, USA
| | - William C. Kerr
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emerville, USA
| | - Yachen Zhu
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emerville, USA
| | - Sophie Bright
- School of Health and Related Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health, University of Sheffield, Shefield, UK
| | - Charlotte Buckley
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Shefield, UK
| | - Carolin Kilian
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aurelie M. Lasserre
- Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Llamosas-Falcón
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nina Mulia
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emerville, USA
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Charlotte Probst
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, Canada
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Rossheim ME, LoParco CR, Berg CJ, Tillett KK, Trangenstein PJ, Henry D, Yockey RA, Livingston MD, Jernigan DH, Sussman SY. Derived psychoactive cannabis products and 4/20 specials: An assessment of popular brands and retail price discounts in Fort Worth, Texas, 2023. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 256:111119. [PMID: 38350186 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retail sales of derived psychoactive cannabis products (DPCPs) have increased in the U.S. since passing the 2018 Farm Bill and is unregulated in most states. This study investigated the types and commonly sold brands of DPCPs as well as promotional pricing on April 20th, a day associated with cannabis use. METHODS On April 19-20, 2023, investigators conducted telephone surveys with 98 retail stores that sold DPCPs in Fort Worth, Texas (where the market was largely unregulated). RESULTS Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC products were widely available, with 97%, 72%, and 82% of stores selling each type, respectively. Fifteen additional DPCPs were identified, and selling blends containing multiple types of THC was common. Frequently sold brands included Cake, Medusa/Modus, Torch, Urb, Kik, Tyson, 3Chi, Casper, Hidden Hills, Esco Bars, Happi, Hometown Hero, STNR, Bomb Bars, Baked, Hi On Nature, Looper, and Space God. Overall, 45% reported having 4/20 specials discounting prices on DPCPs, smoking devices/accessories, or everything in the store. Several stores also sponsored 4/20 promotional events including free THC gummies and "live delta demos where people can test cartridges and try smoking flower in the store." CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the growing complexity of the DPCP market, including numerous different intoxicating compounds and blends. Policymakers, researchers, and public health professionals should consider these complexities, as well as the commonly sold brands, when developing strategies to regulate DPCPs and protect consumer safety. Pricing policies may be an especially important form of harm reduction during events associated with heavy cannabis use, including 4/20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Rossheim
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
| | - Cassidy R LoParco
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kayla K Tillett
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | - Doug Henry
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - R Andrew Yockey
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Steven Y Sussman
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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6
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Balakrishnan M, Rehm J. A public health perspective on mitigating the global burden of chronic liver disease. Hepatology 2024; 79:451-459. [PMID: 37943874 PMCID: PMC10872651 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is a significant global health problem. Epidemiological trends do not show improvement in chronic liver disease incidence but rather a shift in etiologies, with steatotic liver disease (SLD) from metabolic dysfunction and alcohol becoming increasingly important causes. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive public health approach for SLD. To that end, we propose a public health framework for preventing and controlling SLD. The framework is anchored on evidence linking physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary patterns, alcohol use, and obesity with both incidence and progression of SLD. Guided by the framework, we review examples of federal/state-level, community-level, and individual-level interventions with the potential to address these determinants of SLD. Ultimately, mitigating SLD's burden requires primary risk factor reduction at multiple socioecological levels, by scaling up the World Health Organization's "best buys," in addition to developing and implementing SLD-specific control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Balakrishnan
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2S1
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2S1
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 3M7
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University of Hamburg, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
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Paraje G, Araya D, Monteiro M. Off-premises demand elasticities for pure alcohol in five Latin American countries: The case of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 124:104316. [PMID: 38219676 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is ample evidence from high-income countries that fiscal policies such as alcohol taxes can affect the consumption of alcohol by increasing alcohol prices. In the case of Latin American countries, much less is known about how sensitive alcohol demand is to alcohol price changes. This study aims to expand the evidence base on the sensitivity of off-premises pure alcohol demand to price and expenditure increases in five Latin American countries: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay, which have different socioeconomic profiles and alcohol consumption patterns. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study MEASUREMENTS: The price and expenditure elasticities were estimated using an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS). Own price and expenditure elasticities for off-premises pure alcohol were estimated using representative household surveys, which collect data on households' expenses to construct the consumer basket of goods and services used to calculate the consumer price index (CPI) for the country. FINDINGS Own price elasticities of off-premises pure alcohol for all countries were negative, inelastic, and significant at 1 %. They were -0.418 for Argentina; -0.656 for Chile; and for Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay, they were equal to -0.608, -0.509, and -0.32, respectively. Expenditure elasticities were positive and significant at 1 %, except for Costa Rica, which was significant at 10 %. They were equal to 0.865 in Argentina; 0.943 in Chile; 1.182 in Costa Rica; 0.874 in Honduras; and 0.857 in Uruguay. Elasticities for Costa Rica should be interpreted cautiously, as there is insufficient geographical price variability to identify the demand correctly. CONCLUSIONS Results were consistent with previous literature for countries from other regions. Governments should expand this study to measure total demand elasticities to improve the design of alcohol tax policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Paraje
- School of Business, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Avenida Diagonal Las Torres 2640, Peñalolén, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
| | - Daniel Araya
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Maristela Monteiro
- Department of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States
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Hu A, Zhao X, Room R, Hao W, Xiang X, Jiang H. The effects of alcohol tax policies on alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders in Mainland of China: an interrupted time series analysis from 1961-2019. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:746-755. [PMID: 38059570 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2280948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Overwhelming evidence suggests that increasing alcohol taxes is an effective strategy for curbing alcohol consumption. However, research on the effects of such strategies in low- and middle-income nations is limited.Objective: The aim is to explore the temporal effect of alcohol tax policy in China.Methods: We employ interrupted time series analysis to investigate the temporal effects of tax policy changes on alcohol consumption and related consequences in Mainland China from 1961 to 2019. The study population, the total population of mainland region of China, aged more than 15 years.Results: The results show that the volume tax policy, which was announced in 2000 and implemented in 2001, led to an immediate reduction in the alcohol consumption (coefficient = -0.429, p < .001). Following the implementation of higher alcohol taxes in 1998 and 2001, the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and related years lived with disability (YLDs) gradually decreased. The relaxation of tax policy in 2006 led to a significant increase in alcohol consumption, both immediately (coefficient = 0.406, p < .001) and in the middle term (coefficient = 0.495, p < .001), as well as contribute to an immediate or medium term significant increase in the prevalence of AUDs (coefficient = 0.038, p = .010; coefficient = 0.032, p < .001) and YLDs (coefficient = 4.363, p = .001; coefficient = 4.226, p < .001).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that changes in alcohol consumption and related consequences (increase or decrease) have followed corresponding changes in alcohol tax policies (easing or tightening), indicating that increasing alcohol taxes can be an effective strategy in China for controlling alcohol consumption and related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqian Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Robin Room
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wei Hao
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaojun Xiang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Heng Jiang
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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Hatchard J, Buykx P, Brennan A, Gillespie D. Options for modifying UK alcohol and tobacco tax: A rapid scoping review of the evidence over the period 1997-2018. NIHR OPEN RESEARCH 2023; 3:26. [PMID: 37881457 PMCID: PMC10593339 DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.13379.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Background Increased taxation is recognised worldwide as one of the most effective interventions for decreasing tobacco and harmful alcohol use, with many variations of policy options available. This rapid scoping review was part of a NIHR-funded project ('SYNTAX' 16/105/26) and was undertaken during 2018 to inform interviews to be conducted with UK public health stakeholders with expertise in alcohol and tobacco pricing policy. Methods Objectives: To synthesise evidence and debates on current and potential alcohol and tobacco taxation options for the UK, and report on the underlying objectives, evidence of effects and mediating factors.Eligibility criteria: Peer-reviewed and grey literature; published 1997-2018; English language; UK-focused; include taxation interventions for alcohol, tobacco, or both. Sources of evidence: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google, stakeholder and colleague recommendations.Charting methods: Excel spreadsheet structured using PICO framework, recording source characteristics and content. Results Ninety-one sources qualified for inclusion: 49 alcohol, 36 tobacco, 6 both. Analysis identified four policy themes: changes to excise duty within existing tax structures, structural reforms, industry measures, and hypothecation of tax revenue for public benefits. For alcohol, policy options focused on raising the price of cheap, high-strength alcohol. For tobacco, policy options focused on raising the price of all tobacco products, especially the cheapest products, which are hand-rolling tobacco. For alcohol and tobacco, there were options such as levies that take money from the industries to help reduce the societal costs of their products. Due to the perceived social and economic importance of alcohol in contrast to tobacco, policy options also discussed supporting pubs and small breweries. Conclusions This review has identified a set of tax policy options for tobacco and alcohol, their objectives, evidence of effects and related mediating factors. The differences between alcohol and tobacco tax policy options and debates suggest an opportunity for cross-substance policy learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Hatchard
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Tobacco Control Research Group, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Penny Buykx
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Newcastle, Australia, New South Wales, Australia
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alan Brennan
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Duncan Gillespie
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Paraje GR, Jha P, Savedoff W, Fuchs A. Taxation of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages: reviewing the evidence and dispelling the myths. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e011866. [PMID: 37813440 PMCID: PMC10565262 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-011866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The article reviews the large body of evidence on how taxation affects the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). There is abundant evidence that demand for tobacco, alcohol, and SSB is price-responsive and that tax changes are quickly passed on to consumers. This suggests that taxes can be highly effective in changing consumption and reducing the burden of diseases associated with consuming these products. Tobacco, alcohol, and SSB industries oppose taxation on similar grounds, mostly on the regressivity of taxes since regressive taxes take a larger percentage of income from low income earners than from middle and high income earners; but also on the effects taxes might have on employment and economic activity; and, in the case of tobacco, the effects taxation has on illicit trade.Contrary to industry arguments, evidence shows that taxation may have short-term negative financial consequences for low-income households. However, medium and long-term financial benefits from reduced healthcare costs, better health, and welfare largely compensate for such consequences. Moreover, taxation does not negatively affect aggregate economic activity or employment, as consumers switch demand to other products that generate employment and may compensate for any employment loss in taxed sectors. Evidence also shows the revenues generated are generally spent on labour-intensive services. In the case of illicit trade in tobacco, evidence shows that illicit trade has not increased globally (rather the opposite) despite increases in tobacco taxes. Profit-maximising smugglers increase illicit cigarette prices along with the increases in licit cigarette prices. This implies that even when increased taxes divert some demand to the illicit market, they push prices up in the illicit market, discouraging consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo R Paraje
- Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus for the Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Policies (nDP), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Prabhat Jha
- CGHR, Centre for Global Health Research, St. Michael's Hospital and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Alan Fuchs
- World Bank, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Botwright S, Sutawong J, Kingkaew P, Anothaisintawee T, Dabak SV, Suwanpanich C, Promchit N, Kampang R, Isaranuwatchai W. Which interventions for alcohol use should be included in a universal healthcare benefit package? An umbrella review of targeted interventions to address harmful drinking and dependence. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:382. [PMID: 36823618 PMCID: PMC9948368 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15152-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify targeted interventions for the prevention and treatment of harmful alcohol use. Umbrella review methodology was used to summarise the effectiveness across a broad range of interventions, in order to identify which interventions should be considered for inclusion within universal health coverage schemes in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS We included systematic reviews with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on targeted interventions addressing alcohol use in harmful drinkers or individuals with alcohol use disorder. We only included outcomes related to alcohol consumption, heavy drinking, binge drinking, abstinence, or alcohol-attributable accident, injury, morbidity or mortality. PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the International HTA Database were searched from inception to 3 September 2021. Risk of bias of reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR2 tool. After reviewing the abstracts of 9,167 articles, results were summarised narratively and certainty in the body of evidence for each intervention was assessed using GRADE. In total, 86 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which the majority reported outcomes for brief intervention (30 studies) or pharmacological interventions (29 studies). Overall, methodological quality of included studies was low. CONCLUSIONS For harmful drinking, brief interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing showed a small effect, whereas mentoring in adolescents and children may have a significant long-term effect. For alcohol use disorder, social network approaches and acamprosate showed evidence of a significant and durable effect. More evidence is required on the effectiveness of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), nalmefene, and quetiapine, as well as optimal combinations of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. As an umbrella review, we were unable to identify the extent to which variation between studies stemmed from differences in intervention delivery or variation between country contexts. Further research is required on applicability of findings across settings and best practice for implementation. Funded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, grant number 61-00-1812.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Botwright
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
| | - Jiratorn Sutawong
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
| | - Pritaporn Kingkaew
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Thunyarat Anothaisintawee
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Saudamini Vishwanath Dabak
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Chotika Suwanpanich
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Nattiwat Promchit
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Roongnapa Kampang
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
- Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Tiwanon Rd, 6Th Floor, 6Th Building, Muang, 11000, Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Rehm J, Rovira P, Manthey J, Anderson P. Reduction of Alcoholic Strength: Does It Matter for Public Health? Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15040910. [PMID: 36839266 PMCID: PMC9959344 DOI: 10.3390/nu15040910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, reduction of alcoholic strength was discussed as a means to reduce consumption and alcohol-attributable harm. Statistical modelling was conducted to (1) estimate its potential for the largest six Western and Central European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK); (2) calculate the increase in taxation necessary to reach this potential, and (3) estimate the mortality gains achieved with the introduction of no- or low-alcohol beverages in the UK and Spain. The high public health potential of reducing alcoholic strength was demonstrated via modelling a scenario in which the strength of all beverages was reduced by 10%, which would avert thousands of deaths in these six European countries per year. However, methods by which to achieve these gains were not clear, as the alcohol industry has shown no inclination toward reductions in the alcoholic strength of beer, wine, or spirits via a reformulation on a large scale. The increase of excise taxation to achieve the public health gains of such a reduction would result in markedly increasing prices-a situation unlikely to be implemented in Europe. Finally, the introduction of beer and wine with an alcoholic strength below 0.5% led to some substitutions of higher-strength beverages, but did not show a marked public health impact. New taxation initiatives to achieve the potential of a reduction of alcoholic strength will need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1P8, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3M1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia/Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Roc Boronat 81-95, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-535-8501 (ext. 36173)
| | - Pol Rovira
- Program on Substance Abuse, Public Health Agency of Catalonia/Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Roc Boronat 81-95, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Anderson
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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