Our government is increasing the cost of "alco-pop" drinks to try to discourage teen drinking. Wont this mean!
that we'll just buy a bottle of Vodka and mix instead!? I think this is a bit ridiculous!. They're upping the price on drinks like Smirnoff Black, Bundy and Cola and Bacardi Breezers!. The government surveyed students, and something like 49% of them said their last drink was an "alco-pop", compared to 20% beer and 11% wine!. And their statistics sound pretty genaralist and vague!.
I can't see that this price increase would make teens drink less, simply change their drink of choice if it was more economically viable to buy a much stronger bottle!. I'd have to say this is the government trying to cash in for a so-called noble cause!.
I live in Tasmania, Australia!. I'd love to hear what you think, agree or disagreeWww@FoodAQ@Com
I can't see that this price increase would make teens drink less, simply change their drink of choice if it was more economically viable to buy a much stronger bottle!. I'd have to say this is the government trying to cash in for a so-called noble cause!.
I live in Tasmania, Australia!. I'd love to hear what you think, agree or disagreeWww@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I was thinking the exact same thing- I know if that there was only a slight price difference between 'alcopops' and spirits by the bottle then I would purchase a bottle!. That said, there are more standard drinks in a bottle of vodka compared to a 4or 6 pack of alcopops, and so teens and binge drinkers alike will be more likely to consume alcohol irresponsibly!.
By the way, who gets the extra cash raised by increasing the prices!? The actual bottle shop, the alcohol manufacturers, or the government!? also, by increasing the cost of alcopops, will bottle shops be out of pocket, not just in regads to underage drinkers, but consumers in general!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
By the way, who gets the extra cash raised by increasing the prices!? The actual bottle shop, the alcohol manufacturers, or the government!? also, by increasing the cost of alcopops, will bottle shops be out of pocket, not just in regads to underage drinkers, but consumers in general!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
You're right, it's a band-aid fix for a serious problem!. It does nothing to address root problems!. It's just a way for the government officials to make themselves look good and get the public thinking they are working on fixing a problem!. Really, the problem is not one that is fixable by the government in the first place!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think that's stupid!. I just buy vodka anyway because it's more bang for your buck, but I love the taste of "alco-pops" too!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It doesn't work!. In my nightclubbing days, we just used to take in a hip flask each of vodka or bourbon and buy orange juice or coke all night!. You end up twice as drunk for half the price! If teens want to get drunk, they are going to drink!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Unfortuantely it is a little more complicated!.
The Australian government is suggesting increasing the taxation rate, however taxation on alcohol is worked out depending on the actual alcohol content!. So a vodka that is 40% pays more tax than a vodka that is 37%!.
Taking this over to alco-pops (or RTDs - Ready to Drinks) as they are known in the industry, the idea of this price increase is not so much an end price increase but an increase on the tax per mL of alcohol!. I know I'm getting a little complicated, but in short it is not designed to make alco-pops more expensive, it is instead designed to make the manufacturers reduce the alcohol content!.
This has already led to most alco-pops being changed in the formula or removed from the market!. Cougar bourbon will be removing their premixed energy drink and smirnoff black will almost certainly be removed from the market are will be reduced in terms of alcohol content!.
Alot of people feel the solution to alcohol problems is to simply increase the taxation!. What most people dont realise is how high the taxation actually is!. For instance a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red 700mL!. Most bottle shops sell it for about $26!. Because it is 40% alcohol the tax on this is around $17!. You then pay GST on this (a tax on a tax) so it is $17 + $2!.60 meaning you pay almost $20 in tax for your $26 bottle!. This leaves $6 per bottle to make the scotch, bring it over here, advertise, and sell in a bottle shop!. Ridiculous!.
The ridiculous laws also reduce alcohol quality!. For instanceelsewhere in the world Jim Beam could not legally be called a bourbon becuase it is literally watered down to 37% alcohol simply to avoid this tax!. A reduction of 3% saves around $1!.50 per 700mL bottle, doesnt seem much but people dont realise!. Beers have dropped from 5!.2% to an industry standard of around 4!.6% !.!.!.!.!.
These over-extending laws will however make people drink less in my opinion!. Maybe not less in terms of volume, but less in terms of alcohol itself!. We live in a free country, if I want a beer after work I should be able to have one!. I shouldnt be forced to drink light beer becuase Rudd wants to make a good impression !.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
The Australian government is suggesting increasing the taxation rate, however taxation on alcohol is worked out depending on the actual alcohol content!. So a vodka that is 40% pays more tax than a vodka that is 37%!.
Taking this over to alco-pops (or RTDs - Ready to Drinks) as they are known in the industry, the idea of this price increase is not so much an end price increase but an increase on the tax per mL of alcohol!. I know I'm getting a little complicated, but in short it is not designed to make alco-pops more expensive, it is instead designed to make the manufacturers reduce the alcohol content!.
This has already led to most alco-pops being changed in the formula or removed from the market!. Cougar bourbon will be removing their premixed energy drink and smirnoff black will almost certainly be removed from the market are will be reduced in terms of alcohol content!.
Alot of people feel the solution to alcohol problems is to simply increase the taxation!. What most people dont realise is how high the taxation actually is!. For instance a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red 700mL!. Most bottle shops sell it for about $26!. Because it is 40% alcohol the tax on this is around $17!. You then pay GST on this (a tax on a tax) so it is $17 + $2!.60 meaning you pay almost $20 in tax for your $26 bottle!. This leaves $6 per bottle to make the scotch, bring it over here, advertise, and sell in a bottle shop!. Ridiculous!.
The ridiculous laws also reduce alcohol quality!. For instanceelsewhere in the world Jim Beam could not legally be called a bourbon becuase it is literally watered down to 37% alcohol simply to avoid this tax!. A reduction of 3% saves around $1!.50 per 700mL bottle, doesnt seem much but people dont realise!. Beers have dropped from 5!.2% to an industry standard of around 4!.6% !.!.!.!.!.
These over-extending laws will however make people drink less in my opinion!. Maybe not less in terms of volume, but less in terms of alcohol itself!. We live in a free country, if I want a beer after work I should be able to have one!. I shouldnt be forced to drink light beer becuase Rudd wants to make a good impression !.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com