Plans to increase alcohol tax to combat drink-related issues in Scotland would punish the majority of sensible drinkers unfairly, according to a leading trade body.
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has responsed to a government consultation on tackling alcohol problems north of the border. Proposals include minimum pricing, banning off-trade sales to under 21s and further alcohol taxes.
The results of a SBPA poll of its members revealed that 71 per cent think increases in alcohol tax would penalise sensible drinkers.
A further 55 per cent said an increase would threaten traditional pubs and 86 per cent said the move would do nothing to tackle binge-drinking.
Meanwhile 49 per cent said they would not be prepared to pay more tax to curb problem drinking, with 15 per cent surveyed answering 'don't know'.
Patrick Brown, chief executive of the SBPA, said: "One of our main concerns is that the Scottish government has proposed further measures on alcohol in advance of Scotland's new Licensing Act coming into effect in late 2009.
"The current view appears to be that government must act further on alcohol, but it seems to have forgotten that this is already what the industry and other stakeholders are doing by going through transition to the new licensing regime.
"We have also expressed concern that the Scottish government's current one sided focus on the costs of alcohol misuse ignores the economic benefits which the industry in Scotland generates as well as those benefits originating from moderate consumption of alcohol."
The consultation on the government's plans ended this week.