In economics, "price" is pretty inclusive. Price is usually considered in terms of opportunity cost, and dollars (or other currency) are a nice proxy to use. B

In economics, "price" is pretty inclusive. Price is usually considered in terms of opportunity cost, and dollars (or other currency) are a nice proxy to use. But, the thing you think is a confounder here "prohibition makes a product hard to get in desired volume" is pretty much equivalent to an economist as saying "the price went up". There is no really meaningful difference. I have to expend more - either currency (to some bootlegger or intermediary, to cover their risk), time/effort (to find and get to a seller), or risk (I might get caught and go to jail - we can put a price on imprisonment).