USA: Oregon’s government found higher taxes on wine didn’t deter alcohol abuse, then sat on findings

Published 2024년 2월 1일

Tridge summary

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has been accused of withholding a 2021 study that found that higher taxes have a minimal impact on reducing excessive alcohol consumption. The study, which was not shared with the state legislature or a task force studying the issue, found that while higher taxes could reduce overall alcohol consumption by 5%, it would only reduce excessive drinking by about 2%. However, the tax increase could potentially raise an estimated $239 to $245 million in additional revenue per year. The OHA has since apologized for not releasing the report until after its existence was made public.

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Original content

As the Oregon state legislature is locked in a contentious debate over raising excise taxes on wine and beer to curb excessive alcohol consumption, an Oregon health agency may have withheld a 2021 study that found higher taxes have little impact on getting abusive drinkers to cut back on consumption. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) denies it was intentional, but when local newspaper The Oregonian first broke the news last week, area wine industry leaders were not so sure. The study was not shared with the state legislature or a task force recently established by the legislature to study the issue. “It does appear that OHA was intentionally withholding important information while simultaneously advocating for a tax increase that would really hurt industries that are already struggling with a myriad of business and climate-related challenges,” Jana McKamey, executive director of the Oregon Winegrowers Association, told Wine Spectator. Jonathan Modie, a lead communications officer ...

Source: Winespectator