UK Pub Industry Issues Challenge To BMA On "Unjust" Tax

The British Medical Association is wrong to argue that responsible drinkers are 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, the BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) Chief Executive Rob Hayward points to new polling that indicates 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.

In the letter, Mr Hayward said:

"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.

"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

- 76% of people see higher taxes as a threat to traditional pubs

Mr Hayward added: "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."

A BMA report, "Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic" was published on 21 February 2008. Speaking at its launch, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of ethics and science, is quoted as saying: "There are a large number of people drinking at a level that can damage their health. Many others, who are not drinking excessively, would be willing to pay more to protect public health." [The Times, 22 February 2008]- BMA statement from Feb.

Alcohol duty was increased by 9.1% in the Budget of March 2008 and the Chancellor Alastair Darling announced proposals for an 'escalator' to add 2% above inflation in each of the next four years.

Field work for the opinion research was conducted online by ComRes between 1-4 July, 2008. There were 1052 respondents.

The British Beer and Pub Association is the UK's leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 98% of the beer brewed in the UK and own nearly two thirds of Britain's 58,000 pubs.