Downing Street Says » Tax on Alcohol

» Friday, October 27, 2006

Tax on Alcohol

Asked if the Prime Minister backed Patricia Hewitt’s calls for an increase in taxation on alcohol and in particular alcopops the PMS first checked that there were no First News journalists in the room. She then went on to say that Patricia Hewitt had raised an important issue but that taxation was a matter for HM Treasury. Asked again if Patricia Hewitt was backed by the Prime Minister the PMS again replied that an important issue had been raised and taxation was a matter for HM Treasury.

2 Comments »

While there may be a case for increasing the tax on alcopops I am sure there is a much stronger case for proper control of alcohol sales.

1) Strict controls and penalties on the corner shop which sells to under age customers. e.g. banning them from selling alcohol.

2) Preventing supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss leader. Full duty, vat and costs must be passed on to the customer.

3) Alcohol must be sold from a dedicated section of shops and not along with other groceries. In Canada for example these must even have a seperate entrance. This severely restricts the shop lifting of alcohol by under age drinkers.

4) Bring the sale of tobacco in line both in terms of age and place of purchase.
Comment by David Wilson — 27 Jun 2007 on 4:31 pm | Link
While there may be a case for increasing the tax on alcopops I am sure there is a much stronger case for proper control of alcohol sales.

1) Strict controls and penalties on the corner shop which sells to under age customers. e.g. banning them from selling alcohol.

2) Preventing supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss leader. Full duty, vat and costs must be passed on to the customer.

3) Alcohol must be sold from a dedicated section of shops and not along with other groceries. In Canada for example these must even have a seperate entrance. This severely restricts the shop lifting of alcohol by under age drinkers.

4) Bring the sale of tobacco in line both in terms of age and place of purchase.
Comment by David Wilson — 27 Jun 2007 on 4:32 pm | Link

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