Ballooning insurance costs were one reason: many fraternities can no longer afford the premiums for serving alcohol, which is said to account for 80% of fraternity insurance claims.

ECONOMIST: Life at university: Raise a fond last glass to Dionysus | The

In the longer term, the government hopes to persuade Congress to tax cigarettes and alcohol on their value, rather than a fixed sum per unit sold.

ECONOMIST: The Philippines

Under the new system, people who binge drink during adolescence and early adulthood will be seen, essentially, as "mild" alcoholics -- even though studies show that they are much more likely to grow out of the problem than they are to wind up with longer term alcohol-related problems.

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