Vast majority of Brits against alcohol tax rise
Over 65% of the British public are against a rise in alcohol tax as a tool to combat alcohol-fuelled disorder.
The survey, conducted by ICM for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), provides a firm rebuttal to calls for a 10% hike by the Alcohol Health Alliance.
A further 61% believed that an increase in alcohol tax would simply punish the majority of sensible drinkers.
When asked to rank a list of 12 options to reduce alcohol abuse, raising taxes was the least popular measure.
Top of the rankings was making parents take more responsibility.
Over a quarter of AB voters (27%), the top socio-economic group, said they were less likely to vote for a party that increased alcohol tax.
Nearly 8 in 10 AB voters also thought there are enough laws already on alcohol with the majority in favour of better use of existing laws to crackdown on problems.
"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," said WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles.
"More must be done to enforce the laws we already have, rather than just throwing new laws and further taxation at the problem."
• 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!
