The MMA proposes increasing the tax on beer, wine and spirits by 10 cents a drink and indexing it to inflation to raise funds for prevention, treatment and public safety services related to alcohol abuse.

Here's why:

The state currently subsidzes alcohol drinkers. Alcohol use cost Minnesotans $4.5 billion in 2001 — more than $900 for every person in the state. These costs are 17 times higher than the $260 million collected from alcohol sales in 2004.

Alcohol is too easy – and too affordable for kids to get.

Even a small increase in the cost of alcohol will reduce underage drinking, especially binge drinking. One study found that a 10 percent increase in the price of beer reduces by 15 percent the number of kids who drink 3-5 beers a day.

Alcohol is a key factor in the four leading causes of death among young people in America: traffic crashes, homicides, injuries, and suicides.

Exposing the adolescent brain to alcohol may have long-lasting effects and increase the chance of addiction.

The earlier children drink, the more likely they are to have alcohol-related problems. Younger drinkers are more likely to be violent or the victims of violence, to drive drunk or ride with a drinking driver, to drop out of school, or to have unplanned and/or unprotected sex.

The money raised through the tax increase can pay for programs for prevention, treatment and public safety services so there’s added benefit.