Hit the young with alcopop tax - minister
27 October 2006A swingeing increase in tax on alcopops and other alcoholic drinks favoured by teenagers is being demanded by the health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, in an attempt to stop young people damaging their health by binge drinking. ....In an effort to combat binge drinking among students, one university's pro-vice chancellor sent a letter to all pubs and bars in the area asking them to encourage more responsible drinking from students. Professor Tony Downes of Reading university asked that bars think more carefully about offering drink promotions and free giveaways. He wrote: "We want to foster responsible attitudes towards drink in our students. This is especially the case for our newly arrived fresher students and we would welcome your support."