Poll: Americans Approve of Alcohol Tax Increases
A nationwide poll by the American Medical Association (AMA) finds
that most Americans support state tax hikes on alcohol to fund education,
healthcare, and law-enforcement efforts related to drinking, the
American Medical News reported May 6.
The survey by the AMA Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse also
found that 90 percent of Americans are worried about teenage and
underage drinking.
"Alcohol abuse costs Americans more than $148 billion each
year in healthcare and social costs. Among the most vulnerable of
these drinkers are teens," said AMA President-elect John Nelson,
MD, MPH.
Currently seven states are considering increases in their alcohol
tax to address underage-drinking problems. "As with smoking,
the price of alcohol matters, especially with teenagers," said
Richard Yoast, M.D., director of the AMA's Office of Alcohol and
Other Drug Abuse. "Just as price increases for tobacco reduce
consumption and disease, higher alcohol prices are proven to reduce
everything from violent crimes to rape. The difference is taxes
on cigarettes have been increased frequently and significantly over
the years while alcohol taxes have remained astoundingly behind
the times."
The telephone survey of 800 registered voters nationwide took place
from April 15 to 18.
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