2nd July 1997

Missed opportunity to curb underage drinking

The Institute of Alcohol Studies expressed disappointment at the Chancellor of the Exchequer's refusal to hike the tax on 'alcopops' in today's budget speech.

In a statement, IAS Director Derek Rutherford said that the Chancellor had declined an opportunity to tackle a serious and growing problem. The public were clearly expecting and hoping for the tax on alcopops to be increased substantially. The fact that this has not happened makes even more necessary the introduction of a statutory code on the marketing of alcopops. The IAS also calls on the Government to take further action through the Office of Fair Trading to remove the worst offending products from the shelves.