Drink tax plan under fire

Tax hikes could hit the tourist trade say brewers

A plan by Jersey's government to try and cut down the effects of alcohol in the island has been criticised by one of Jersey's leading pub chains.

Jersey's health authorities have put forward proposals to tackle alcohol abuse by introducing measures such as proof of age cards and increasing the price of alcohol above the rate of inflation.

David Le Quesne, chief executive of Randalls Vautier, said the proposals to increase taxes would not stop islanders with drink problems.

He said: "We are already within a whisker of UK duty rates.

Consultation process

"The island is going through a revitalisation of the tourist industry and those visitors come with a perception that the island is duty free.

"We know it's not, but another rise in duty is going to put us way off kilter.

"I also don't believe that the hardened alcoholics are going to be affected by the price of alcohol."

Anton Skinner, acting chief executive of the Health Department, said there was a full consultation process before any decisions were made and that there were several meetings with the licensed trade over the proposals.

Other health proposals mean the age at which people can buy cigarettes would rise from 16 to 18.

Smoking would be banned in public eating places and restricted at work, and the government would do more to prevent young people taking up smoking.