Increasing the price of alcohol can save lives

Increasing the price of alcohol by just 10 percent can save lives.

Canadian researchers have discovered that when the price of alcohol had risen in British Columbia between 2002 and 2009, the number of deaths had dropped as well, stated Reuters.

EurekaAlert has reported four major findings upon the increased minimum alcohol prices:

• A 32 percent reduction in alcohol related deaths
• Some effects were detected up to a year after the price increase
• A large amount of reductions in chronic alcohol deaths between two and three years after the price increase
• A 10 percent increase in private liquor stores were associated with a 2 percent increase in mortality rates

“The study adds to the scientific evidence that, despite popular opinion to the contrary, even the heaviest drinkers reduce their consumption when minimum alcohol prices increase,” said Tim Stockwell of the University of Victoria’s Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia, who had led the study.

Stockwell believes that raising the price of cheaper drinks will make heavy drinkers drink less.