Alco-Popped: Tax Hike Suggested for Fizzy Booze

by Jordan Yerman | March 7, 2008 at 07:23 am

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I'm not sure how the plan below would curb drinking, though it would make the low-strength-cider constituency really happy (how big is the low-strength cider constituency,exactly?). As a guy who faced his teen years in a pre-alcopop era, I'm here to tell you that kids still got wasted back then- we mixed our own drinks, though, sometimes with mad-scientist results. Just stay away from gin and diet Pepsi, is the takeaway message here.

My main concern with alcopops is that they'll lead to a generation of lousy bartenders with cavity-ridden grilles.

The Conservatives say they will raise tax on super-strength beer, cider and alcopops to tackle binge drinking if they win the next general election.

Tax on alcopops would be trebled, but money raised would be used to reduce tax on low-strength beer and cider.

The Tories' want to hit the drinks they believe fuel yobbish behaviour, without penalising "sensible" drinkers.

A spokeswoman for the chancellor said there was no provision in European law for a separate tax on alcopops.

Hypocritically, I'd support this if it lowered taxes on whiskey.