Drinkers against tax rise on alcohol

The Government is out of step with public opinion when it comes to tackling alcohol misuse, an industry body has warned.

The warning comes as the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has promised to look at tightening the laws regarding under age drinkers

A poll by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) showed that almost two-thirds of the population (65%) were against raising taxes on alcohol as a preventative measure for alcohol misuse.

Proposals to raise taxes on alcoholic drinks were put forward by health and temperance group Alcohol Health Alliance in November.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA said: “These results confirm our belief that increasing the price of alcohol by raising taxes is an unfair and unpopular measure that will punish the vast majority of consumers. 

“More must be done to enforce the laws we already have, rather than just throwing new laws and further taxation at the problem.”

The survey ranked cracking down on problem licensees and tougher police enforcement as top solutions in addressing alcohol misuse.

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By Christopher Walton

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