(so much for reining in the nanny state)

A super-tax to target binge drinkers is expected to add ?1.50 to a four-pack of the strongest lagers and beers.

George Osborne announced yesterday that an additional duty will be imposed on products with a strength above 7.5 per cent by volume.

The Coalition said the move was part of a war on the availability of cheap alcohol that is damaging health and fuelling anti-social behaviour.




War on drinkers: Before the election, the Tories suggested they would impose higher taxes on drinks of 5.9 per cent or stronger.

They also said alcopops would be taxed more heavily ? but they have not been included in the crackdown

Similar tax rises in Germany and Australia helped reduce consumption of the strongest drinks by up to 50 per cent.
But campaigners accused ministers of ?tinkering at the edges? and retreating from pledges made in opposition.

Before the election, the Tories suggested they would impose higher taxes on drinks of 5.9 per cent or stronger. They also said alcopops would be taxed more heavily ? but they have not been included in the Treasury crackdown.

Almost half of victims of violence say their attacker had been drinking, yet alcohol is around two-thirds cheaper in real terms than in 1980.

Under ministers? proposals, taxes will rise on strong lagers and beers, including Tennent?s Super and Carlsberg Special Brew.

And duties on low-alcohol beers with a strength of 2.8 per cent or less will be reduced to encourage men and women to drink them.

The precise level of the tax will be revealed by the Chancellor in his Budget in the spring, but it is expected that the cost of a four-pack of strong beer or lager will rise by around ?1.50.
Justine Greening, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: ?By increasing the duty on high-strength beers we can help tackle problem drinking directly, rather than penalising the overwhelming majority of responsible drinkers.

?Also our proposal to decrease the rate of duty on lower-strength beers will create additional choice for responsible drinkers and support industry moves to create new low-strength beers.?

The Chancellor came under pressure from health groups to further increase tax on spirits and cider, but the Treasury concluded a rise in duties on either drink could unfairly penalise responsible drinkers and local industries


~~~~ me its zap

The decisions on the levels of the tax will reflect research by health and homelessness groups about the problems associated with super-strength lager.
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