Infant Mortality and the Repeal of Federal Prohibition

Abstract Using new data on county-level variation in alcohol prohibition from 1933 to 1939, we investigate whether the repeal of federal increased infant mortality, both counties and states that repealed neighbouring counties. We find is associated with a 4.0% increase mortality rates chose wet status via local option elections or state-wide legislation 4.7% dry counties, suggesting large role for cross-border policy externalities. These estimates imply roughly twenty-seven thousand excess deaths could be attributed this period.