Citation

Tessler RA, Mooney SJ, Quistberg DA, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Vavilala MS, Rivara FP. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2019; 56(5): 708-715.

Affiliation

Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, Washington; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amepre.2019.01.009

PMID

30885520

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to determine the association between changes in state-level beer excise tax and firearm homicide rates among individuals aged 15-34years.

METHODS: A time series analysis with synthetic controls was conducted for the years 2003-2015. Exposed states changed the beer excise tax during the study period. Synthetic controls were weighted mimics that combined portions of unexposed states using state-year specific demographic and firearm covariates. Average annual incidence rate differences were calculated between each exposed state and its synthetic control. Alcohol taxes were available through the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and firearm homicide rates were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States that changed the beer excise tax but for which <2years of pre-exposure data were available were excluded. Data were collected in 2017 and analyzed in 2018.

RESULTS: Five states met inclusion criteria, and all raised the beer excise tax: Illinois (2009), New York (2009), North Carolina (2009), Connecticut (2011), and Rhode Island (2013). The percentage increase in beer excise tax ranged from 10% to 27%. Differences in pre-exposure firearm homicide rates between exposed states and synthetic controls were minimal. The increase in beer excise tax was associated with a lower average annual firearm homicide rate in all states except Illinois (Rhode Island: incidence rate difference= -2.48, Connecticut: incidence rate difference= -2.57, New York: incidence rate difference= -1.45, North Carolina: incidence rate difference= -0.45, and Illinois: incidence rate difference=1.54 per 100,000 population).

CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals aged 15-34years, price-sensitive consumption of beer may represent one feasible tool for policymakers seeking to reduce rates of firearm homicide.

Copyright © 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en