Developed by Economics for Health at Johns Hopkins University as part of the RESET Alcohol initiative, this policy note was developed for governments and advocates interested in reforming their alcohol excise taxes and seeking expert counsel on how to do this best. It is the product of a two-day technical meeting on alcohol excise tax policy held in Mexico City, May 5–6, 2025 supported by the RESET Alcohol initiative and hosted by the Economics of Health team.
The report underscores that well-structured excise taxes are the most powerful tool to reduce alcohol consumption, save lives, and raise revenue. It also outlines six evidence-based principles for designing effective alcohol excise taxes when public health is the primary goal.
