Speaks Out

Do you think there should be a state alcohol tax of five cents
above the wholesale price of every alcoholic drink sold? Why?
Andrea Yocum

First-year, sociology

“I am against an alcohol tax because it’s
someone’s own fault if they get themselves in the hospital.
If there was an alcohol tax, the money could be better spent. But I
don’t think it would discourage drinkers nonetheless.”
Christina Hollander

First-year, communication studies

“It would be a good idea because there are a lot of
alcohol-related injuries and deaths every year. I think it’s
unfair that citizens pay taxes that go toward the hospital and are
used to pay for the care of someone without insurance. They might
as well add the extra tax because it should come with
drinking.” Elizabeth Anderson

First-year, undeclared

“I don’t think it is a good idea, because there are
other ways of dealing with the alcohol problems that we have in the
state. I don’t think the solution is increasing the tax. I
think we need to focus on educating people more about alcohol and
tolerance levels.” Justin Frech

Third-year, sociology

“It would hurt a lot of people, including me, but at the
same time it is probably not a bad idea just because there are a
lot of problems that are alcohol related. It’s definitely not
going to discourage people because the tax wouldn’t be that
much.” Jenny Jiao

First-year, biology

“I don’t necessarily think an alcohol tax will
discourage people from drinking because people will be willing to
pay the little amount extra to drink anyways. And if people pay it,
it would definitely help hospitals give better care to injured
patients.” Sohrab Aalam

Third-year, psychology

“It sounds like a reasonable idea considering the fact
that the majority of the accidents that come into the emergency
room on a Saturday night are alcohol related. Maybe a tax would
advocate less drinking, like the taxes on cigarettes, which have
brought about less smoking, especially for younger
people.”