The use of economic arguments with regard to four aspects of alcohol p
olicy is described and discussed. The first aspect is the impact of a
potential reduction in alcohol consumption on employment by alcohol pr
oduction and trade. It is shown that employment ir quite independent o
f the level of consumption. The second aspect is the opportunity for s
erving the public health and state finance interests at the same time
by developing alcohol taxation. The third aspect is the relationship b
etween the public revenue from alcohol and the public costs for alcoho
l-related problems. A ''polluter pays'' principle with regard to alcoh
ol would mean higher taxation of alcoholic beverages. The fourth aspec
t is the need for cost-effectiveness analyses to support the choices b
y the decision makers between different alcohol policy options. It is
concluded that such analyses could have impact on the priorities in pu
blic health policy on alcohol.