Abstract This paper estimates the effects of beer prices, alcohol availability, and policies related to driving under the influence of alcohol on drinking and binge drinking among youths a nd young adults.
Data are from a nationally representative survey of students in U.S. colleges and universities.
Separate estimates are obtained for underage male and female students, as well as for older male and female students. The estimates indicate t hat the drinking practices of male college students are generally insensitive to the price of beer. However, underage drinking and binge drinking by female students do respond significantly to price, although both are relatively inelastic. Similarly, these policies reduce drinking among female college students but appear to have little impact on thei r binge drinking.