Friday, 29 February 2008

Binge Drinking

There are a number of negative externalities caused by excessive drinking. There are 1.2 million violent incidents each year attributable to alcohol misuse, alcohol related illnesses cost the NHS £1.7 billion per year, and £6.4 billion is lost to business in terms of lost productivity.

Higher tax on alcohol 'would save lives' - Telegraph

Would a tax be the best way to internalise the externality or should we give the police more powers to confiscate alcohol from under 18s, ban 'happy hours' and make it illegal to sell super-strong beer?

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