Study points to benefits of increasing alcohol taxes

Increasing taxes on alcohol is often seen as a way in which Governments can limit its damaging effects. But does it work? Researchers at the University of Florida have been reviewing a number of studies into this issue. They looked at 50 published research papers and concluded that a 10% increase in alcohol price results in a 5% reduction in consumption while doubling the average state tax on alchol would be associated with a 35% reduction in alcohol-related mortality, an 11% reduction in road-traffic deaths, a 6% reduction in sexually-transmitted diseases, a 2% reduction in violence and a 1.4% reduction in crime.