US: Steep rise in taxes on alcohol in New Mexico

Authorities in the US state of New Mexico have introduced plans to drastically raise taxes on all alcoholic beverages sold. Its congress has proposed a “dime-a-drink tax” (ten cents per drink) intended to raise funds to introduce more detoxification centres for alcoholics and educational programmes in the state.

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of drunk-driving in the United States and is also one of the most heavily-taxed states in the country.

The American Beverage Institute is distinctly unhappy, comparing the idea to the re-introduction of prohibition. John Doyle, executive director of the Institute, said: “…it concedes to the anti-alcohol activists that seek to make social drinking socially unacceptable."

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