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The effectiveness and effects of alcohol regulation: evidence from India

Author

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  • Dara Lee Luca

    (Mathematica Policy Research)

  • Emily Owens

    (University of California)

  • Gunjan Sharma

    (Sacred Heart University)

Abstract

We provide quasi-experimental evidence on the effects of alcohol regulation on alcohol consumption and associated public health outcomes using detailed individual level and aggregate data from India, where state-level laws regulating the minimum legal drinking age generate substantial variation in the availability of commercially produced alcohol across people of different ages. We find that despite significant law evasion, men who are legally allowed to drink are substantially more likely to consume alcohol. Further, men who are legally allowed to drink are significantly more likely to commit violence against their partners, suggesting a causal channel between alcohol consumption and domestic violence. These results are robust to the exclusion of states with prohibition, implying that they are driven by differences in MLDA. We also examine the effects of alcohol regulation on other public health outcomes. Consistent with the existing literature, we find evidence that smoking and drinking are complements. Finally, we provide suggestive evidence that stricter alcohol control is associated with lower rates of motor vehicle accidents and crimes against women, but not other forms of crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Dara Lee Luca & Emily Owens & Gunjan Sharma, 2019. "The effectiveness and effects of alcohol regulation: evidence from India," IZA Journal of Migration and Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:izamig:v:9:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1186_s40176-018-0139-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s40176-018-0139-1
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    2. Sonia Bhalotra & Uma Kambhampati & Samantha Rawlings & Zahra Siddique, 2021. "Intimate Partner Violence: The Influence of Job Opportunities for Men and Women," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 35(2), pages 461-479.
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    4. Saloni Khurana & Kanika Mahajan, 2022. "Public Safety for Women: Is Regulation of Social Drinking Spaces Effective?," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(1), pages 164-182, January.
    5. Chakraborty, Tanika & Lohawala, Nafisa, 2021. "Women, Violence and Work: Threat of Sexual Violence and Women's Decision to Work," IZA Discussion Papers 14372, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    Keywords

    I18; K42; J120;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I - Health, Education, and Welfare
    • F - International Economics
    • Z - Other Special Topics

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