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HAVE YOUR SAY

IS THE TORY DRINK TAX A GOOD IDEA?

AS BAD AS DRUGS? A binge drinker

Sunday July 8,2007

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(10)

DRINKERS could face a “treatment tax” on booze to help drug addicts and alcoholics under proposals to be published by the Tories this week.

An addition to the price of beer, wine and spirits could raise up to £400million a year to fund treatment centres.

The proposal will be a key part of Conservative plans to stem the plague of drug and alcohol abuse afflicting Britain.

They are also putting forward a plan to tackle cannabis abuse, including its reclassification as a Class B drug.

The Conservatives will also back a programme for dealing with drug addicts, replacing the current reliance on methadone treatment for heroin users with treatment centres promoting abstinence.

*But what do YOU think?

Is the Tory drink tax a good idea?

Have YOUR say.

STALINIST TYPE SYSTEM THAT POLITICIANS IN TODAYS U.K WOULD JUST LOVE TO BRING IN.

12.07.07, 8:57am

The U.K needs to learn from the lesson of Sweden. They put up tax on alcohol massively in the 60s and 70s, to nip in the bud, a problem with missuse.

Alongside this they introduced "Systembolag", which were places very similar to the old caged in dole offices, run by Government, where you could buy "proper" drink. "Proper" drink was beer over 3%, but no higher than 4.5% alcohol, and spirits were restricted to 30%.
A book was kept where your I.D details were recorded.
If they considered that you had bought too much drink that month, the social services would come knocking on your door, and, if they thought it neccessary, forcibly remove you to a "treatment center".

Within the decade, Sweden gained the title of "country with the highest number of alcoholics in Europe", and indeed POSSIBLY the world.
Finland has a similar story.
Taxing drink, nor rationing it, does NOT decrease missuse.

But then it seems JUST the Stalinist type system that politicians in todays U.K would just LOVE to bring in.

• Posted by: von_Spreuth • Report Comment

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

11.07.07, 2:13pm

How strange that those who thought the ban on smoking was a good idea now don't like it when the tables are turned on them.

Where did they imagine the replacement taxes would come from ?

Just wait till the higher taxes for petrol or road use comes in

• Posted by: madamspud169 • Report Comment

ANOTHER TAX

09.07.07, 11:44pm

Once again, the only answer the thoughtless politicians can come up with, is, punish the majority, because of the mindless minority! If the Tories think this stunt will win them any votes, they are in for a big shock! They are already losing many traditional voters, and this nonsense will only make matters worse! For some strange reason, the Tories seem to want to commit political suicide, as they continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Any more of these idiotic ideas, and they will be looking for yet another leader! It is past time to bring in UKIP, who at the moment, are the only party to have the British people's interests at heart. They deserve a chance.

• Posted by: peterthepainter • Report Comment

IS THE TORY DRINK TAX A GOOD IDEA?

09.07.07, 9:22pm

In one way it might seem so but if you are against paying additional taxes SIMPLY BREW YOUR OWN.

That way the Chancellor gets nowt and YOU get cheap booze.

I brew my own 12% by volume (Red or White) Wine at a total cost of around 44 pence a bottle. My mate makes his own 6 - 8 % beer at total cost of around 30 pence a pint.

Not bad Eh ? and its totally Tax Free !

• Posted by: EmperorMing • Report Comment

MAKE THE PEOPLE WHO CAUSE THE PROBLEM PAY!

09.07.07, 2:13pm

Why should everybody have to suffer ,because of those who cause problems through drink or drugs. A fine in form of a pay for what you use system should be introduced, so you pay if you need any hospital treament, pay if a ambulance is needed,pay if police are involved,pay for being held in a police cell if left to sleep it off etc..... .
I am sure if you charge these people and hit them hard in the pocket they might think twice about binge drinking etc , plus the tax payer won`t be footing the bill for there antics.

• Posted by: myview • Report Comment

|IS THE TORY DRINK TAX A GOOD IDEA?

08.07.07, 11:51pm

I've been saying it to my Husband and friends for a while now. The Government got their way with the smoking ban, hoping to encourage everyone in this country to stop smoking. But how are they going to replace all the revinue brought in from cigarettes? The only logical next step for them was to hit the next thing that they can easily raise taxes on - alcoholic drinks.

The scheme has been a stealth one (as it was with cigs). A few articles in newspapers stating that the amount of alcohol related illnesses have increased, and the cost to the NHS, the 'possible' introduction of health warnings on bottles and cans.

Before we know it all alcoholic drinks will be banned in public places. You think this absurd. You read it here first.

(By the way, the next targit (after booze) will be all fast food outlets.

• Posted by: freckles • Report Comment