Vast majority against alcohol tax rise
The Government risks alienating middle-class voters if it caves in to demands for a substantial hike in alcohol tax.
That is the warning from the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) after a survey of regular wine drinkers revealed three out of four believe alcohol taxes are already too high.
The Alcohol Health Alliance is lobbying for a 10% hike on tax.
The survey, conducted by Wine Intelligence, said only 5% believe taxes are too low.
A third said they would go abroad more often to buy drink if taxes were increased.
A whopping 92% also said they do not go to pubs more often since extended opening hours came into effect and 90% do not consume more alcohol.
"The public don't want tax rises on alcohol full stop and the Government risks alienating swathes of middle class voters if they go ahead anyway," said WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles.
"What people do want is a targeted campaign to deal with problem drinkers where they arise through better enforcement of existing laws and more education.
"People are right to want to reduce problem drinking but we have to act on real evidence.
"The Government's own figures show alcohol consumption is dropping and the number of 24-hour licences is still tiny.
"This survey only goes further to show people aren't all rushing out to drink long into the night."
View the full report here.
We, at the MA, are also petitioning the Prime Minister directly. To sign our petition click here No Tax Increase on Alcohol.
If you are on Facebook, join our group and invite your friends to by clicking here Facebook: No Tax increase on alcohol!
