Taxing alcohol
Sir, — I agree with the sentiments expressed in your editorial (May 30) supporting a health tax on alcohol, with the. exception that you have “misgivings about a departure from normal practice.” The departure already exists, in that the National Roads Board (since 1952) and the Accident Compensation Scheme (since 1974) are mainly funded by special levies on users. The principle of “user group pays,” where the group which generates a demand for a public service is levied for its cost, is an important one, and often superior to "user pays” or "consolidated fund pays” principles. If the Government begins introducing the user group pays principle to meet the social costs of alcohol to the public purse, it could well claim to be an innovator in social welfare policy. — Yours, etc.,
BRIAN EASTON, May 30, 1977.
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Press, 31 May 1977, Page 20
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137Taxing alcohol Press, 31 May 1977, Page 20
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