Tories plan 'alcopops' tax hike
Written: 7th March, 2008
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.
She added that their sales were going down.
Duty on spirits has been frozen since 1998 and Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to raise alcohol taxes in next week's Budget.
Source BBC news