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Frequency and intensity of alcohol consumption: new evidence from Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Gawain Heckley

    (Lund University
    Lund University)

  • Johan Jarl

    (Lund University
    Lund University)

  • Ulf-G Gerdtham

    (Lund University
    Lund University
    Lund University)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Gawain Heckley & Johan Jarl & Ulf-G Gerdtham, 2017. "Frequency and intensity of alcohol consumption: new evidence from Sweden," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 18(4), pages 495-517, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:18:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10198-016-0805-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-016-0805-2
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rebelo, João & Compés, Raúl & Faria, Samuel & Gonçalves, Tânia & Pinilla, Vicente & Simón-Elorz, Katrin, 2021. "Covid-19 Lockdown and Wine Consumption Frequency in Portugal and Spain," Working Papers 321853, American Association of Wine Economists.
    3. Aisha Baisalova, 2022. "Exploring Border Effects: Sensitivity of Cigarette Consumption to Excise Tax," CERGE-EI Working Papers wp726, The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute, Prague.
    4. Akram Hernández-Vásquez & Horacio Chacón-Torrico & Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández & Leandro Nicolás Grendas & Guido Bendezu-Quispe, 2022. "Gender Differences in the Factors Associated with Alcohol Binge Drinking: A Population-Based Analysis in a Latin American Country," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    5. Nabanita Datta Gupta & Anton Nielsson, 2017. "Short- and Long-Term Effects of Adolescent Alcohol Access: Evidence from Denmark," Economics Working Papers 2017-03, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    6. Pongpat Putthinun & Somtip Watanapongvanich & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2021. "Financial Literacy and Alcohol Drinking Behavior: Evidence from Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-13, August.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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