by Center for Science in the Public Interest

About the author: The Center for Science in the Public Interest is a nonprofit education and advocacy organization that seeks to reduce the damage caused by alcoholic beverages.

Three main rationales have been advanced to support increases in alcohol excise taxes:
• raising revenue
• reducing alcohol consumption and related problems
• providing funding for key government programs

Historically, the first has attracted more interest, and remains an important factor today, particularly in light of recent federal budget cuts in social programs and growing state needs.

Recently, however, interest in the public health benefits of raising excise taxes has increased. Numerous studies indicate that boosting alcohol taxes can be an effective means of deterring and reducing youth alcohol use, reducing alcohol- related motor vehicle accident mortality and morbidity among...