by Richard Skolnik
One essential part of reducing alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico will be raising taxes on alcohol. The evidence shows that every 10% increase in alcohol taxes leads to a 7% decrease in consumption. My commentary of December 15 focused on this issue, especially in light of recent information about the apparent “sell out” of our state officials to some lobbyists on alcohol taxes.
The article also referred to using alcohol taxes to fund other measures to reduce alcohol consumption. Indeed, as a number of people kindly and correctly highlighted in response to my article, addressing “excess alcohol consumption” and alcohol-related deaths requires a package of policies that go beyond taxes.
Comments