Alcohol duties: Doctors raise a glass

Doctors have welcomed the increase in alcohol duties but there are concerns from elsewhere it will penalise "responsible drinkers".

The British Medical Association (BMA) welcomed the tax hike as the "right way forward" having recommended it in its recent report on alcohol misuse.

Alistair Darling announced in the Budget that the price of beer will rise by 4p a pint and wine by 14p a bottle from Sunday. He also announced the first rise in tax on spirits for a decade, with a bottle going up by 55p.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: "The evidence tells us that the cheaper and more accessible alcohol is the more people will drink.

"The government needs to tackle this issue so it's good news that ministers have made a start today.

"These tax increases may be unpopular with some members of the public but we hope that they will look at the wider issue and recognise that the UK has a real problem on its hands regarding alcohol misuse."

Dr Nathanson added it was "very important" the tax rise forms part of a wider plan to reduce problem drinking.

But the Conservatives attacked it as a blunt instrument against binge drinking.

David Cameron said: "We would target tax on binge drinkers, not on every responsible drinker in the country who wants a glass of wine or a pint of beer at the end of a hard day's work."

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association have also hit out at the alcohol duty hike for hitting consumers.

The association claims it now means Britons are paying more tax on wine than any of their European neighbours.

Chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "It is bizarre at a time when the economy is slowing, prices are rising and many families are feeling the pinch that the government should choose to add to their burden by making the simple pleasure of a glass of wine or spirits considerably more expensive."