An empirical analysis of the determinants of expenditure on alcohol by alcohol dependent individuals in Mauritius
Abstract
Purpose
Without an understanding of the factors that influence the expenditure of alcohol-dependent individuals on alcohol, it is unclear whether policies to control excessive consumption of alcohol can be effective. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the factors that affect the expenditure of alcohol-dependent individuals on alcohol.
Design/methodology/approach
The main contribution of this paper is that it relies on a survey consisting exclusively of 300 alcohol-dependent individuals to capture the variables influencing their expenditure on alcohol. The survey was carried out by fieldworkers in the year 2012. The respondents come from varied socio-economic backgrounds and consist of both male and female alcohol-dependent individuals living in various geographical parts of the island of Mauritius.
Findings
The results obtained indicate that expenditure on alcohol by alcohol-dependent individuals increases as income increases. Given that the coefficient on the income variable is positive but less than one, this indicates that alcohol is viewed as a necessity. Apart from income, the age when the person first started drinking and the family size are important variables influencing the expenditure of alcohol-dependent individuals on alcohol.
Research limitations/implications
The findings indicate that alcohol-dependent individuals should be sensitized so that they are not tempted to increase expenditure on alcohol as their income increases. Sensitization should be aimed at making them understand that the increase in income allocated toward alcohol expenditure could be better spent. Awareness programs could also help to address the issue of over-consumption of alcohol among the youth.
Originality/value
As far as the authors know, there has not been any empirical studies conducted in Mauritius on the expenditure on alcohol by alcohol-dependent individuals.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the University of Mauritius for providing the funding for this research.
Citation
Sobhee, S., Kasseeah, H., Tandrayen-Ragoobur, V. and Gopaul, A. (2015), "An empirical analysis of the determinants of expenditure on alcohol by alcohol dependent individuals in Mauritius", Drugs and Alcohol Today, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 158-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-12-2014-0040
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited