August

1, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Peter DeBenedittis

(505) 670-9797

alcoholtaxessavelives@gmail.com

https://alcoholtaxessavelives.org/

Citizens Campaign to Raise Alcohol Taxes Announced

Alcohol Taxes Save Lives & Money is a volunteer coalition seeking to raise alcohol excise taxes
25 per drink in the state of New Mexico. Alcohol taxes have not been raised in New Mexico
since 1993, , points out Dr. Peter DeBenedittis, the campaigns director. Right now state
legislators are calling for special sessions to look at tax increases to balance our budget. Alcohol
taxes should be at the top of that list.

The Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee will be addressing this topic at
their August 23rd meeting in Taos. Alcohol Taxes Save Lives & Money will present the findings of
a Bernalillo County funded economic and health analysis of the impact of a 25 per drink
increase in the states alcohol excise tax. The complete report, along with fact sheets and an
update on how alcohol is a risk factor in 26% of all NM cancer cases, can be found at:
https://alcoholtaxessavelives.org/

Key data that will be presented to the committee is:

A 25 per drink increase in New Mexicos Alcohol Excise Tax would result in $154,090,910
in new state revenues
Alcohol excise taxes havent been raised since 1993, effectively giving the industry a 30% tax
decrease due to inflation. In 1977, alcohol taxes made up .75% of New Mexicos revenues,
while in 2012 alcohol taxes only made up .47% of New Mexicos revenues.
The cost of excessive drinking to New Mexicos local and state governments in 2013 was
$793,500,000. These are costs hidden in our Personal Income and Gross Receipts taxes to pay
for extra police, ambulances, court cases, detention, hospital & indigent medical care
Every New Mexican pays $400 a year in hidden taxes for the harms caused by excessive
drinking. Whether you drink or not, thats $1.00 per drink youre being taxed to subsidize
excessive drinking harms.
According to the CDC, 49% of New Mexicans havent had a drink in the past 30 days so nearly
half the state would not pay a penny more from an alcohol excise tax increase. 32% of New
Mexicans drink responsibly. Theyd only pay about $11.00 more a year. The 18% of New
Mexicans who drink excessively and cause most of the alcohol problems in our state would
end up paying the bulk of the increase.

The increased cost of alcohol will result in a 10% decrease in alcohol consumption
reaping huge Medicaid savings, along with economic and health benefits
In 2015, Medicaid paid over $99 Million dollars to treat illnesses caused by excessive
drinking.

Raising New Mexicos alcohol excise taxes by 25 per drink would save Medicaid nearly $10
million dollars a year in reduced health care costs.

New Mexico leads the nation in deaths caused by alcohol
1 out of 6 working aged New Mexicans die from alcohol crashes, alcohol violence, and alcohol
caused diseases such as liver failure and cancer. The decreased consumption created by a 25
per drink increase in the alcohol excise tax is predicted to:
Save 52 lives a year initially, with the number of lives saved growing larger each year as more
and more alcohol-related chronic diseases are prevented.
Prevent 306 violent acts a year.
Prevent 12,375 cases of alcohol dependence or abuse a year, relieving thousands of families
of the heartache, financial strain, and emotional turmoil that alcohol abuse and dependence
creates.
Reduce overall underage drinking by 13%. Thats 7,150 fewer youth drinking each year,
resulting in thousands of New Mexico children avoiding alcohol related problems later in life.

In addition to providing public health benefits, a 25 per drink increase in alcohol excise
taxes would grow New Mexicos economy
Boost the state economy by $128 Million a year because employers will have few lost work
days and lower insurance costs.
Create up to 2,700 new jobs, even after accounting for alcohol industry losses.

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