Presentation Transcript

1. Alcohol Taxes and Public Health:Implementing an alcohol tax campaign in your state

   James F. Mosher, JD Alcohol Policy Consultations September 8, 2011
2. Objectives At the end of the workshop, participants will: Understand the importance of alcohol tax policy in preventing alcohol-related problems including underage drinking; Be familiar with the key dimensions of alcohol tax policy; Understand key steps in implementing a comprehensive community and state strategy to increase alcohol taxes; and Have available resources to support their community campaigns.
3. Alcohol Taxes: Community Guide Summary of the Research “The Task force on Community Preventive Services recommends increasing the unit price of alcohol by raising taxes based on strong evidence of effectiveness for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. Public health effects are expected to be proportional to the size of the tax increase.” CDC Task Force on Community Preventive Services 2010
4. Alcohol Taxes: Meta-Analysis Wagenaar et al. Addiction 2009 Meta-analysis of 110 studies containing 1,003 estimates of relationship between tax and price of alcohol and alcohol consumption “A large literature establishes that beverage alcohol prices and taxes are related inversely to drinking. Effects are large compared to other prevention policies and programs. Public policies that raise prices of alcohol are an effective means to reduce drinking.”
5. Alaska’s Alcohol Tax Ratesper Gallon in Constant 2006 Dollars Source: Wagenaar, Maldonado-Molina & Wagenaar 2008
6. Effects of Alaska’s Alcohol-Tax Increases on Alcohol-Related Disease Mortality 1983 alcohol tax increase Frequency: -28.6% Rate per 100,000 population: -22.5% 2002 alcohol tax increase Frequency: -11.3% Rate per 100,000 population: -13.0% Source: Wagenaar,Maldonado-Molina & Wagenaar 2008
7. Reduce: Liver cirrhosis Delirium tremens Male suicide Criminality Hospitalizations Alcohol-related disease mortality Workplace injuries STDs IPV Rape Robbery Severe violence towards children No impact on possible health benefits among moderate drinkers Health effects of alcohol taxes: specific studies
8. What the Science Tells Us Decreased alcohol consumption Increased alcohol taxes Decreased public health/safety problems
9. Alcohol Taxes: Key Dimensions Type of alcohol tax: Excise (based on volume) Ad valorem (based on price) A fee may serve the function of an alcohol tax in certain circumstances. Type of beverage/Alcohol content: Beer Wine Distilled spirits Alcopops Other
10. Alcohol Taxes: Key Dimensions (cont.) Level of government: Local State Federal Sector of industry Retailer (on-sale/off-sale) Wholesaler/distributor Producer
11. Federal tax rates and inflation
12. A tax cut almost every year… Source: Cook P., Paying the Tab (Princeton University Press, 2007)
13. State Excise Beer Taxes(Per gallon; January 1, 2010) 9 States $.06 - $.10 6 States, DC $.11- $.15 12 States $.16 - $.20 6 States $.21 - $.31 4 States $.31- $.41 3 States $.41- $.50 3 States $.62 - $.93 3 States $1.00 - $1.07
14. State Ad Valorem Beer Taxes(January 1, 2010) Off-Sale On-Sale Minnesota 2.5% 2.5% Maine 7% 2.5% Arkansas 10% 1% DC 4% 3% Maryland 3% 3% Kansas 10% 8% Vermont 10% -- Kentucky 11% 11% Tennessee 17% 17%
15. Four distinct state preemption categories Four distinct state preemption categories: Localities may impose a broad range of alcohol taxes and/or fees; States permit some but not all localities to impose alcohol taxes and/or fees; Localities may impose some taxes and/or fees at their discretion with defined, usually strict, limitations; States prohibit local governments from imposing or collecting alcohol taxes and/or fees.
16. Policy Implementation: Getting Started Assess resources. Can include grassroots engagement and leadership, support from key constituencies and community leaders, technical assistance, and financial resources. 2. Make your case and frame the issue. Document the impact of alcohol retail availability on the community’s public health and safety.
17. Data Collection for Making Your Case Alcohol tax rates in your state (current and over last four decades) Impact of inflation on tax rate over time Estimates of costs of alcohol problems in your state Estimates of health benefits of a tax increase of a given amount Projected income for addressing funding priorities Polling data to show public support
18. Model the impact of a tax increase Maryland: A dime per drink increase in the alcohol excise tax will raise $215.6 million in new revenues
19. Voter support for dime-a-drink, Maryland 2010
20. Policy Implementation: Plan the Campaign Develop policy strategy Develop a case statement Identify allies and strategy for engaging them in process
21. Policy Implementation: Potential Allies State and local public health departments Community substance abuse prevention coalitions Faith-based community Educational community Parent groups
22. Policy Implementation: Potential Allies (cont’d.) Mothers Against Drunk Driving Small business organizations Labor Law enforcement The medical community Children’s advocacy groups Other
23. Policy Implementation: Plan the Campaign (cont’d.) Assess barriers. Identify legislative sponsor/draft legislation Plan media advocacy campaign
24. Policy Campaign:Major Counter-Arguments Raising any taxes hurts the economy. Alcohol taxes are regressive. Alcohol taxes will increase unemployment. Alcohol taxes punish moderate drinkers. Research on health benefits is flawed. Increasing alcohol taxes will result in cross-border sales.
25. Policy Implementation:The Campaign Execute a plan for approaching allies, implementing a media advocacy strategy, and persuading decision-makers. Count votes, plan presentation to decision-makers, then CELEBRATE!! Newspaper Headline: “Health advocates laud Maryland’s alcohol tax hike”
26. Policy Implementation:Post-Enactment Monitor Implementation (process evaluation) Identify key aspects of the campaign – what worked? What unforeseen problems arose and how were they handled? Lessons learned.
27. Retail Availability OrdinancesPost-Enactment Evaluate results (outcome evaluation) Are the projected benefits being realized? Are there any problems in implementation?
28. Policy CampaignsUseful Skills/Experience Community organizing Data collection and analysis Policy development/legislative drafting Policy advocacy and analysis Media advocacy Evaluation research
29. Closure Online Feedback Form PowerPoint Slides Continuing Education Hours Thank You!