Economy

How do economic crises impact levels of alcohol harm, and who is most affected?

Overall, evidence suggests that alcohol consumption falls during times of economic crises. However, population-level trends mask hidden pockets of risk amongst vulnerable groups.

Beyond Personal Harm: The Costs of Alcohol to Society

Alcohol harm has a significant cost to society in England, amounting to over £27 billion. But how is this split across society, why is it...

Can we increase government revenue by raising alcohol taxes?

The alcohol industry consistently claims that increasing alcohol duty would reduce government revenue. However, a recent study has found that the opposite is true: increasing...

Why do countries with high alcohol taxes still have high rates of alcohol harm?

The alcohol industry claims that raising duty cannot reduce harm because some countries with high tax rates still have high rates of harm. This is...

Alcohol duty frozen in Autumn Statement: What does this mean?

In the Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November the Chancellor froze alcohol duties until 01 August 2024. We discuss what this means for hospitality, the...

Can alcohol duties be used to reduce the rate of violence injury?

Changes to alcohol duty at each year's Budget has been found to be causally linked to the rate of violent injury rates. Here Professor Kent...

At what cost? The economic impact of alcohol-related cancer deaths

Around €4.6 billion was lost due to deaths from cancer caused by drinking alcohol in 31 European countries in 2018. Dr Rumgay explains her study's...

Good news for public health, good news for pubs, and good news for Treasury revenue

In the Spring Budget 2023, the Chancellor increased alcohol duty in line with inflation. Previous freezes and cuts to duty have increased alcohol's affordability and...

How does the Late Night Levy spur change in the night-time economy?

The Late Night Levy is a fee paid by alcohol retailers in some areas open after midnight, which is used to fund police and licensing...

A Drop in the Ocean: Corrective Taxes on Alcohol in 25 Large Economies

Corrective taxes on alcohol are very low compared to the economic costs of death and disability in almost all countries, and almost all advanced economies...

Higher alcohol taxes could save thousands of lives lost due to cancer in WHO European Region

A modelling study looked at how many cancer deaths and cases would be avoided by raising taxes by differing amounts. Here Carolin Kilian gives insight...

The Pass-Through of Alcohol Excise Taxes to Prices in OECD Countries: Filling in the evidence gap

Governments 'may consider additionally implementing minimum pricing policies' as a viable complement to tax increases on alcohol

Can we really take the politics out of alcohol tax?

In light of the SMF's recent report and HM Treasury's controversial 'duty-free' promise, Aveek Bhattacharya asks a pertinent question about the ways in which the...

Hangovers are a financial headache for the UK economy

The £1.4 billion bill for workplace hangovers indicates we underestimate alcohol’s economic costs, argues Aveek Bhattacharya

It’s rarely been so affordable to have a pint of beer in the pub

Result of CAMRA poll should be taken with caution, warns Aveek Bhattacharya

The economic impact of changes in alcohol consumption in the UK

The Fraser of Allander Institute summarises the results from a recent research project on the potential macroeconomic impact of changes in UK alcohol consumption

Why an alcohol tax cut is a bad idea for the US

Cuts in alcohol excise duties will be harmful, not helpful, to the health of the nation's citizens, argues Robert Pezzolesi

Why is the government subsidising cheap strong cider?

Technical issues around the design of tax systems can have dramatic real-world consequences, argues Policy Analyst Aveek Bhattacharya

Why minimum unit pricing is not a tax on the poor

Colin Angus, one of the architects of the model behind the policy, explains the health benefits that it will bring

The dangerous mirage of the whisky Laffer curve

Laffer curve arguments should not be taken seriously when it comes to alcohol duty, writes Aveek Bhattacharya