S.F. Considers Alcohol Fee to Mitigate Related Harms

Alcohol-related problems cost the city of San Francisco an estimated $175 million annually, and officials are now considering charging an alcohol-impact fee, according to the Marin Institute.

“The impact of alcohol consumption in San Francisco costs millions of dollars to the City and County,” said S.F. Supervisor John Avalos, chair of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee. “San Francisco alone should no longer suffer the costs of unmitigated alcohol harm.”

Bruce Livingston, executive director of the Marin Institute, said San Francisco is the first county to propose an alcohol-mitigation fee. “In these tough times other counties and cities may also want to use their police powers to keep their safety nets alive,” he said. “It’s time to charge the alcohol industry for harm and get tens of millions of dollars for related services.”

The fee proposed by Avalos would be charged to alcohol wholesalers.