Pub Industry Issues Challenge To BMA On 'Unjust' Tax

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

26 August 2008

The British Medical Association (BMA) is wrong to argue that responsible drinkers should be willing to pay more tax on alcohol to deal with the behaviour of an irresponsible minority, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

In a letter to the BMA’s Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, BBPA Chief Executive Rob Hayward pointed to a new poll which indicated that the public overwhelmingly believes that higher taxes unfairly penalise sensible drinkers and will not significantly reduce binge drinking.

Mr Hayward has asked to meet Dr Nathanson to discuss the issue, according to a BBPA statement.

In the letter, Mr Hayward argued that:

“People who drink alcohol need to be fully aware of the damage that can be done to their health by excess. On this our two organisations agree."

However, he continued: “In our view, the British Medical Association is wrong to press the Government to deter the minority by punishing the majority with higher taxes. That is also the view of the large majority of the public, which overwhelmingly rejects your case for higher taxation.”

Mr Hayward pointed to a BBPA-commissioned opinion poll by ComRes which found that:

• 61% of people said they would not be willing to pay more tax on alcohol to prevent others from problem drinking, as against 31% who said they would;
• 82% of people say that higher taxes unfairly penalise sensible drinkers;
• 86% of people say that higher taxes will not significantly reduce binge drinking;
• 60% of people opposed recent increases in tax to tackle binge drinking; and
• 76% of people see higher taxes as a threat to traditional pubs.

Mr Hayward concluded:

“It is clear therefore that calls for higher taxes do not have public support on grounds either of fairness or effectiveness. In fact, piling more taxes on beer would drive more people away from pubs, which remain the safest setting for the social pleasures associated with drinking responsibly.”

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