There is an increasing body of evidence that the intensity in which alcohol is drunk is of greater concern than the frequency or overall quantity consumed. This paper provides an extensive analysis of the demand for alcohol as measured by total quantity, frequency, and intensity. A unique large sample of cross-sectional data from Sweden 2004-2011 allows reduced-form alcohol demand equations to be estimated for beer, wine, and spirits, split by alcohol drinking pattern (average vs. binge drinkers) and gender. Results find a negative beer excise rate effect for participation and frequency, and positive effect for intensity. The effect was stronger for binge drinkers. Generally, the results also show a positive socioeconomic (income and education) gradient in frequency demand and a negative gradient in the intensity demand. Female wine drinkers show a positive socioeconomic gradient in both frequency and intensity. The findings highlight the complexity of this policy space. Tax increases appear to reduce frequency but raise intensity consumed. The more educated and higher earners drink more in total, but less intensely when they do and this is likely to explain in part why poor health is concentrated amongst lower socioeconomic status individuals.
Notes
Cites: JAMA. 2003 Jan 1;289(1):70-512503979
Cites: J Health Econ. 1995 Jun;14(2):123-4810154654
Cites: Int J Equity Health. 2011 Feb 10;10:1021306654
Cites: Trials. 2014 Dec 19;15:49425526870
Cites: Am J Prev Med. 2010 Feb;38(2):201-720117577
Cites: Drug Alcohol Rev. 2013 Jan;32(1):27-3022716036
Cites: Eur J Health Econ. 2008 Nov;9(4):351-6018043953
Cites: PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e3552722532858
Cites: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2008;17(3):141-5118763694