An Alcohol Policy Framework for New York State

Our Framework

The Alcohol Policy Framework to Prevent Excessive Drinking and Related Harms for New York State was developed in 2025 by community organizations, public health leaders, government agencies, and academic partners in response to rising alcohol-related harms and expanded alcohol availability across New York.

Excessive alcohol use contributes to approximately 8,000 deaths each year in New York State and costs the state an estimated $16.3 billion annually.

The Framework outlines practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce excessive alcohol use, protect youth and communities, and strengthen public health statewide.

Core Strategies

The Framework includes six core strategies organized into two categories: facilitating strategies and prevention policy strategies.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Increase Alcohol Taxes

New York’s alcohol taxes remain among the lowest in the nation. Increasing alcohol taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce excessive drinking, especially among youth, while generating revenue for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Key approaches include:

1. Raising excise and sales taxes

2. Adjusting taxes for inflation

3. Dedicating revenue to prevention and public health programs

Reduce Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising

Alcohol advertising is directly linked to earlier drinking, binge drinking, and long-term alcohol-related harms. The Framework supports stronger protections to reduce youth exposure to alcohol marketing in communities, public spaces, and digital platforms.

Implement Mandatory Server Training

Establish a standardized statewide alcohol awareness training program to reduce underage sales, prevent over-serving, improve compliance with alcohol laws, and strengthen accountability at the point of sale.

FACILITATING STRATEGIES

Build a Statewide Alcohol Prevention System

Create a coordinated public health infrastructure to track alcohol-related harms, support local prevention efforts, fund public awareness campaigns, and sustain community-based solutions statewide.

Equip Policy Makers with Evidence

Provide state and local leaders with clear, evidence-based information about alcohol’s health, economic, and community impacts so policy decisions prioritize public health over industry influence.

Secure Long-Term Prevention Funding

Partner with philanthropy and institutional funders to strengthen prevention programming, research, and equity-focused initiatives across New York.

Why this Matters

Alcohol-related harms are preventable. This Framework provides New York with a clear roadmap to reduce preventable deaths, lower health care and economic costs, protect youth, and strengthen community well-being.

By investing in prevention and advancing evidence-based policies, New York can:

Save lives
Reduce alcohol-related disease and injury
Protect young people from harmful marketing and early alcohol use
Advance health equity in communities disproportionately impacted by alcohol harms
Build healthier, safer communities across the state