By Hayley Peterson
Created Jan 4 2011 – 3:09pm
Taxing Maryland’s boozers 10 cents more for every can of beer — and 80 cents more for a bottle of wine — could save 33 people a year, according to a new study commissioned by supporters of the alcohol tax.
The study concludes the dime-a-drink tax health care advocates are pushing for would indirectly prevent 33 “premature deaths” of the 1,278 that result from alcohol abuse each year in Maryland.
The tax also would generate $215 million in revenue and save the state more than $225 million in health care costs in its first year, supporters say.
The report assumes the tax would cost “drinkers who do not drink in a risky way” about $10.83 a year. That’s no more than two six-packs a month.
Last modified: January 5, 2011
