Squid Tempest wrote: So the truly addicted will either spend more on their drink or switch to another drug, probably illegal and more deadly.
Like what? Alcohol is still the cheapest and most readily available high, even if it costs a little more.
Squid Tempest wrote: Meanwhile everyone else just gets hit with more tax, or cuts back on social drinking, which is what is currently causing the death of that great British institution and pillar of the community, the pub.
Is that due to higher prices, or a gradual decline in drinking habits? Or is it because people just don't have as much expendable income due to ballooning housing/energy/food prices?
It's odd to zero in on small tax hikes on booze when the really essential things like rent or a mortgage (biggest single monthly expense) goes sky-high. THAT'S the real issue here... people's discretionary income is being taken by stuff like that, not little tax hikes on a pint of beer.
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