Alcohol Problems and Policies: the States Have the Power, But Will They Use It?

Policy Points After the repeal of National Prohibition in 1933, the federal government gave states the bulk of the regulatory power over alcohol. Although states used this power early on, particularly since the 1970s state action on alcohol has largely liberalized alcohol control structures, allowed taxes' real value to decline with inflation, expanded physical availability, and failed to limit alcohol marketing. With declining federal funds for public health and health care, states have the power today to use alcohol taxes to raise much-needed revenues, and reduce alcohol problems while funding a range of needed programs and services.