|
|
|
|
|
|
by Frank Chaloupka Henry Wechsler National
Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. The effects of beer prices,
alcohol availability, and policies related to driving under the influence
of alcohol on drinking and binge drinking among youths and young adults
are estimated using data from a nationally representative survey of students
in U.S. colleges and universities. Drinking participation, participation
in binge drinking and level of drinking equations are estimated using
appropriate econometric methods. The estimates indicate that the drinking
practices of college students are sensitive to the price of beer, with
an average estimated price elasticity of drinking participation of -0.066
and an average estimated price elasticity of binge drinking of -0.145.
However, when dividing the sample by gender, one finds that the effects
of prices on drinking are limited to young women. In addition, a significant
negative relationship is found for the strength of policies related to
drinking and driving among youths and young adults and drinking by college
students. However, the results indicate that many elements of campus life,
(including participation in a fraternity or sorority, living on campus,
and the ready availability of alcoholic beverages) are among the most
important determinants of drinking and binge drinking among college students.
|
|