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Hewitt asks for alcohol tax rise Hewitt asks for alcohol tax rise
(6 days later)
Tax on alcohol should rise to reduce binge drinking among teenagers, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has said.Tax on alcohol should rise to reduce binge drinking among teenagers, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has said.
Ms Hewitt urged chancellor Gordon Brown to "really increase" taxes on alcohol, especially on drinks such as alcopops, most popular with young people.Ms Hewitt urged chancellor Gordon Brown to "really increase" taxes on alcohol, especially on drinks such as alcopops, most popular with young people.
She told children's paper First News it would stop teenagers spending money on drink and ending up in casualty.She told children's paper First News it would stop teenagers spending money on drink and ending up in casualty.
But the drinks industry said taxation was not the solution and the government should address why young people drink.But the drinks industry said taxation was not the solution and the government should address why young people drink.
The Treasury said Mr Brown routinely considered a "wide range" of suggestions on tax ahead of the Budget.The Treasury said Mr Brown routinely considered a "wide range" of suggestions on tax ahead of the Budget.
The Chancellor previously raised tax on alcopops in 2002 to put them into the same tax bracket as spirits.The Chancellor previously raised tax on alcopops in 2002 to put them into the same tax bracket as spirits.
High taxation is a relatively blunt instrument to deal with this complex problem David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group Send us your commentsHigh taxation is a relatively blunt instrument to deal with this complex problem David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group Send us your comments
Ms Hewitt said: "We've got a real problem with binge drinking among young people.Ms Hewitt said: "We've got a real problem with binge drinking among young people.
"We've got enormous numbers of young people, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night, ending up in the casualty department of hospitals because they're drunk."We've got enormous numbers of young people, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night, ending up in the casualty department of hospitals because they're drunk.
"They've fallen over and bashed their heads in because they're drinking too much.""They've fallen over and bashed their heads in because they're drinking too much."
But David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, an association set up by the drinks industry to promote responsible drinking, said although raising taxes seemed positive, it was not going to solve the problem.But David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, an association set up by the drinks industry to promote responsible drinking, said although raising taxes seemed positive, it was not going to solve the problem.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think it is a superficially attractive solution but it is not necessarily the right solution.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think it is a superficially attractive solution but it is not necessarily the right solution.
Patricia Hewitt wants to "really increase" taxes on alcoholPatricia Hewitt wants to "really increase" taxes on alcohol
"Sure, if we increase taxes we are likely to reduce the population's overall consumption of alcohol but that is not really the problem."Sure, if we increase taxes we are likely to reduce the population's overall consumption of alcohol but that is not really the problem.
"The problem is more to do with how much certain individuals drink and the pattern of their drinking."The problem is more to do with how much certain individuals drink and the pattern of their drinking.
"High taxation is a relatively blunt instrument to deal with this complex problem.""High taxation is a relatively blunt instrument to deal with this complex problem."
Drink dangersDrink dangers
The Office for National Statistics defines binge drinking as consuming eight or more units for men and six or more for women on a single occasion.The Office for National Statistics defines binge drinking as consuming eight or more units for men and six or more for women on a single occasion.
About 23% of men and 9% of women binge drink in the UK but it is predominantly a problem among 16 to 24-year-olds, official figures show.About 23% of men and 9% of women binge drink in the UK but it is predominantly a problem among 16 to 24-year-olds, official figures show.
Police chiefs backed Ms Hewitt's plans, saying the extra tax should be channelled back into the police.Police chiefs backed Ms Hewitt's plans, saying the extra tax should be channelled back into the police.
A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said police were also worried about the marketing of drinks such as alcopops which could "appeal to children".A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said police were also worried about the marketing of drinks such as alcopops which could "appeal to children".
BINGE DRINKING FACTS The Office for National Statistics defines "heavy" drinking as eight or more units for men and six or more for womenAbout 23% of men and 9% of women binge drink in the UKBinge drinking among young British women has increased more than in any other EU country in the last decadeUK death rates due to binge drinking have doubled in the last 20 years Statistics from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology BINGE DRINKING FACTS The Office for National Statistics defines "heavy" drinking as eight or more units for men and six or more for women About 23% of men and 9% of women binge drink in the UK Binge drinking among young British women has increased more than in any other EU country in the last decade UK death rates due to binge drinking have doubled in the last 20 years Statistics from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Professor Martin McKee, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the BBC there was a clear problem with alcohol in the UK and welcomed the moves.Professor Martin McKee, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the BBC there was a clear problem with alcohol in the UK and welcomed the moves.
'Failure''Failure'
But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb said Ms Hewitt's proposal was a sign she had accepted defeat in tackling binge drinking.But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb said Ms Hewitt's proposal was a sign she had accepted defeat in tackling binge drinking.
"This is a veiled admission of failure from a minister who has failed miserably to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse.""This is a veiled admission of failure from a minister who has failed miserably to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse."
He said consideration should be given to raising tax on damaging high-alcohol drinks, such as super-strength lagers, while lowering the duty on less harmful drinks.He said consideration should be given to raising tax on damaging high-alcohol drinks, such as super-strength lagers, while lowering the duty on less harmful drinks.
Research shows 80% of pedestrian deaths on Friday and Saturday nights are alcohol-related, as are nearly three quarters of peak time accident and emergency admissions.Research shows 80% of pedestrian deaths on Friday and Saturday nights are alcohol-related, as are nearly three quarters of peak time accident and emergency admissions.