Our results corroborate several prior studies showing that higher cigarette taxes/prices or stricter SFA policies are associated with a reduction in alcohol consumption (Bask & Melkersson, 2004; Cameron & Williams 2001; Kasza et al., 2012; Lee, 2007; Lee et al., 2010; McKee et al., 2009; Pierani & Tiezzi, 2008; Young-Wolff et al., 2013; Young-Wolff et al., 2014). However, at first glance our findings seem to contradict those of some prior U.S. studies that suggested an increase in cigarette taxes is associated with an increase in alcohol consumption (Decker & Schwartz, 2000; Goel & Morey, 1995; Picone et al., 2004). One study focused only on spirits consumption during the two decades prior to the time period of our study and therefore comparability may be limited (Goel & Morey, 1995). McLellan et al. (2012) and Picone et al. (2004) found higher cigarette prices to be associated with increased alcohol consumption among adults age ≥65 years and 51–61 years, respectively. Our findings suggest that the net effect of tobacco control policies is to reduce alcohol consumption in the full population; however the use of aggregated sales data prevented us from testing differential associations by age group.
