Premium
Effect of Economic Changes on Scottish Drinking Habits 1978–82
Author(s) -
Kendell R. E.,
Roumanie M.,
Ritson E. B.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
british journal of addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0952-0481
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1983.tb02525.x
Subject(s) - excise , unemployment , consumption (sociology) , environmental health , alcohol consumption , marital status , economics , medicine , demography , demographic economics , alcohol , economic growth , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , population , sociology , macroeconomics
Summary An increase in excise duty on beer and other alcoholic beverages in March 1981 caused their price to increase faster than the retail price index and average disposable incomes. Unemployment was rising simultaneously. The influence of these economic changes on drinking habits was explored by comparing the survey responses of 463‘regular drinkers’in the Lothians in 1978/79 and 1981/82. Total alcohol consumption fell by 18 per cent between these two occasions, and associated adverse effects by 16 per cent. The influences of social class, income, and employment and marital status, and of changes in these, were examined. Although rising unemployment was responsible for up to 20 per cent of the reduction in consumption, and heavy drinkers appeared to be selectively at risk of losing their jobs, the increased price of alcohol was the major influence. Heavy drinkers and dependent drinkers both reduced their consumption at least as much as light or moderate drinkers and suffered fewer adverse effects as a result. Increasing the excise duty on alcohol can therefore be an effective public health measure.