Researchers Carmen Villa and Manuel Bagues examined four Spanish regions that introduced stricter alcohol laws over the past twenty years. The policy packages usually combined measures such as restricting sales to minors, limiting access to venues and regulating alcohol advertising. Because the reforms were rolled out at different times across regions, the team compared outcomes before and after each change to isolate the policies' effects.
The study draws on several large sources: survey data on drinking habits, PISA exam results and census records. After raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18, the probability that 14–17 year olds had been drunk in the previous month fell by between 7% and 17%, and binge drinking decreased by 14%. Students in regions with a higher legal age scored 4% better on PISA exams, an improvement the authors equate to about two months of additional schooling.
Mental health outcomes also improved: teenagers in higher-age regions were 10% less likely to use prescribed medications for anxiety and insomnia. Effects appeared in both self-reported and peer-reported drinking, suggesting a real behavioural change. The study found no measurable shifts in studying time, socialising, internet use, sports participation, or substitution to cannabis or cigarettes, a pattern the authors say points to alcohol’s direct neurocognitive effects. The research appears in the Journal of Health Economics and is reported by the University of Zurich.
Difficult words
- isolate — separate an effect from other influences
- probability — chance that something will happen
- binge drinking — drinking large amounts in short time
- prescribe — authorize a medicine for a patient's conditionprescribed
- substitution — replacement of one thing with another
- neurocognitive — relating to brain functions and cognition
- regulate — control or set rules for somethingregulating
- venue — place where events or activities happenvenues
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think raising the legal drinking age is an effective way to improve teenagers' school performance? Why or why not?
- What reasons might explain why the study found no measurable shifts in sports or internet use?
- How should policymakers balance restricting alcohol access with young people's personal freedom?
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