SWEDEN: RTD tax proposal criticised by health minister - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 29 February 2008

The Swedish minister of public health has criticised a proposal recommending the levying of an extra tax on RTDs in Sweden as a way to combat underage drinking.

Following shadow finance minister Thomas Östros's proposal on Tuesday (26 February), recommending an extra tax of SEK6 (US$0.95) per litre in an effort to tackle teenage alcohol use, public health minister Maria Larsson pointed out that increased alcohol consumption by teenagers primarily concerns beers and wines.

Thomas Hvittefeldt at alcohol research unit CAN told Swedish daily Esmerk: "Teenagers drink that which is cheapest. If taxes were increased on alcopops and there were other stronger intoxicants available then the proposal could have negative effects, such as an increase in alcohol poisoning."

Sectors: Spirits