There is widespread public support to address alcohol-related harm through tax measures, according to Alcohol Change UK. A survey of more than 2,000 adults found that 52 per cent agreed that increasing alcohol duty until it ‘covered the cost’ of alcohol-related harm would have a positive impact on the NHS.
Just under half agreed that increasing alcohol duty in next month’s budget would be the ‘right priority’, says the charity, while more than 60 per cent wanted to see a ban on alcohol marketing in places that could be seen by children. Almost half also supported minimum unit pricing, double the 23 per cent who were opposed.
Increasing alcohol duty at up to 4 per cent above inflation would ‘raise billions’ over the course of the current parliament, says Alcohol Change UK, as well as help to close the ‘alcohol harm deficit’– the gap between the cost of alcohol harm and the income generated by the drinks industry.
While chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she has ‘not ruled out’ a duty increase in the forthcoming budget, industry body the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling for a two-year freeze to allow sales to recover from last year’s implementation of a new duty system under which drinks are taxed according to strength. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) added that ‘any additional price increases, on top of the inflationary pressures of the last few years, would tip many beer and pub businesses over the edge’.
More than half of respondents to the Alcohol Change UK survey also supported protecting funding for alcohol and drug services, while almost 60 per cent were in favour of compulsory drinks labelling about calories, ingredients and health risks.
‘While the government faces some difficult decisions, addressing alcohol harm in the budget is a powerful opportunity that’s popular with voters,’ said Alcohol Change UK CEO Richard Piper. ‘Alcohol harm affects all of us, yet we’re currently spending billions more on dealing with this than we see back in duty.’
Reintroducing a ‘duty escalator’ at 2 or 4 per cent above inflation would ‘start levelling the playing field’, he continued – ‘putting public health and wellbeing above the profits of alcohol producers, largely dominated by massive companies based overseas. Our poll shows that people are connecting the dots, with the vast majority not only wanting to protect our NHS but recognising that changes to alcohol duty are part of the solution. Right now, the system works against us. From the relentless advertising we’re exposed to when going about our lives, to how alcohol is priced, labelled and made available, our environment encourages us to drink more while failing to tell us the truth about what we’re consuming and how this is impacting our health.’