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Alcohol Taxes and Birth Outcomes

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  • Ning Zhang

    (Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 644, Rochester, NY 14642, USA)

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between alcohol taxation, drinking during pregnancy, and infant health. Merged data from the US Natality Detailed Files, as well as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (1985–2002), data regarding state taxes on beer, wine, and liquor, a state- and year-fixed-effect reduced-form regression were used. Results indicate that a one-cent ($0.01) increase in beer taxes decreased the incidence of low-birth-weight by about 1–2 percentage points. The binge drinking participation tax elasticity is −2.5 for beer and wine taxes and −9 for liquor taxes. These results demonstrate the potential intergenerational impact of increasing alcohol taxes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ning Zhang, 2010. "Alcohol Taxes and Birth Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:5:p:1901-1912:d:8105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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