Alcohol, being a legal beverage, has become an integral part of people’s lifestyles and communication in particular. Any celebrations or recreational events are now difficult to imagine without alcohol, as this beverage is believed to help people relax and feel more comfortable in society. When used responsibly, alcoholic drinks do not cause any serious harm to the human body. However, people who violate responsible consumption often become alcohol dependent. Such an issue is quite serious due to both legal and economic availability of the drug, as the price for alcohol is relatively low if to compare with other drugs. According to Levinthal (2014), higher taxes on alcohol could potentially lead to lower consumption rates. On the other hand, such governmental reactions could also commence illegal, tax-free alcohol production. Hence, would a significant increase in price restrain people from alcohol consumption, or would people, on the contrary, continue to poison themselves with cheap but illegally produced beverages?
Reference
Levinthal, C. F. (2014). Drugs, behavior, and modern society. London, UK: Pearson Education.