Alcohol tax is too high, say wine drinkers

Almost three-quarters (74%) of wine drinking adults believe that current taxes on alcoholic drinks are “too high”.

According to a poll of more than a thousand wine drinking adults conducted by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, 40% believe that the UK tax on wine and spirits is “too high” and just 5% think it too low.

Just 20% of those surveyed believed the Government’s current taxes on alcohol were “about right”.

Nearly a third (30%) of those questioned said a hike in tax, as recommended recently by the Alcohol Health Alliance, would result in them buying aboard.

The survey also found that regular drinkers were not visiting licensed premises more often after the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales, with 80% saying their drinking habits had remained “about the same”.

Just 8% of those questioned said they were visiting licensed premises more often following liberalisation of the licensing laws and 12% visited less often.

Drinks industry hits back at regulation plans >>

Shepherd Neame boss lobbies MPs over beer duty >>

BBPA calls for beer tax freeze >>

Brits consume less alcohol since Licensing Act >>

Brown to review Licensing Act >>

Read more news on licensing laws here >>

By Christopher Walton

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