Battling bootleggers

the figures quoted are in UK pounds and pence.....

Jiri, I watched a journalistic programme made in Russia by possibly the BBC or similar. In all countries the illness of alcoholism exists; but where product in relation to income means that due to illness the person will buy 'industrial laced alcohol' then it's a clear legal offence. The authorities in the Russia were prosecuting with heavy sentences as they realised the alcoholics were ill. It was sad, but made you realise that people need protection from illegal products that produce a slow agonising death. With the pub/club culture I have no idea what will work, it is an ongoing trend that has left a number of well meaning government ministers scratching their head as to answers. Recently alcohol/drug advisers to the government resigned as they felt their views and evidence were being undervalued. The common point of contention was that as a nation we needed to have an adult debate on modern attitudes to alcohol and drug consumption. Regarding price rises; recent health committee recommends 50p a unit. So if your beer contains 5.5 units then price is ?2.75p a pint. A tin of premium lager at 9 units can be bought if you buy 24 for ?46.71, an online bargain. Under new pricing it would jump to ?119.00 if the 50p unit policy was enforced. Price rises would hit the majority unfairly, a bottle of wine would cost above ?4.50, which is more than some drink in a week. The article refers to bootlegging and its related legal problems, problems that have existed in all emerging economies. Did not one famous American get his start in 'alcohol sales' before financing a presidential campaign, not that there were any irregularities, just good booze.

"The arguement about 'industrial alcohol' sales is clear, it's illegal on grounds of 'illegal product'; not that it will stop where profit is concerned."

Jan,in today's world,raising price of booze (or lowering it) will affect a very few people who are already in pub and drinking.Customers have "plastic" money available at any times and will use it to buy more of booze at any price anyway.
Those who can't, are probably drinking at home or at the homes of their friends.Those who can't buy regularly sold booze might even buy "industrial" alcohol.
This is not such big problem (Industrial alcohol)in Canada,yet misguided people-together with ever greedy governments-advocate raising the taxes as a means of control of excessive drinking.
That taxation will in effect drive people with adiction and the limited means to illegal booze,when and where available, making problem drinking even worse.
Those,who can afford legal stuff will buy it anyway.
The casual drinkers,who worry about the price(a minority)may think twice about buying extra alcohol at higher price but it is hardly category of drinkers the governments profess will "benefit"from higher taxes for.They are already self-regulating.

Jiri, there is some debate about alcohol prices in bars say after 11pm at night. Should the price be cheap considering the costs of alcohol related problems. In the U.K. hours of drinking were relaxed in the hope people would not rush drinking; or be free to go out later to a wider choice of establishment. Even the government ministers admited there was no easy soloution, the desire to 'let go' a bit at weekends is very traditional. Maybe it's the genetics of an island with strong tribal identity and some kind of 'letting of steam' can be found to be more accepatble. The arguement about 'industrial alcohol' sales is clear, it's illegal on grounds of 'illegal product'; not that it will stop where profit is concerned.

"What an absurd statement. So if alcohol tripled in price people would still drink the same amount? "

You don't seem to understand a single true thing about the life.
The answer to your query is-of course-yes!

Alcohol adiction is the same like adiction to the drugs.People will do anything to get it.
It always was like that and it always will be like that.

"The truth, of course, is that this is the easiest way to control alcohol consumption."

What an absurd statement from a mind with a mechanistic, authoritarian outlook. We just pull this lever and this will happen, after which we pull another lever and so on and so on. People are like rats in a laboratory; you can regulate their behaviour using, among other means, taxation, or even prohibition, a la the USA in the 1930's and 30's, a resounding success.

"Increased taxes on booze will not reduce usage of alcohol."

What an absurd statement. So if alcohol tripled in price people would still drink the same amount?

The truth, of course, is that this is the easiest way to control alcohol consumption. Do some basic research before spouting off next time!

Increased taxes on booze will not reduce usage of alcohol.
Those who can't afford the fancy,expensive drinks will drink the cheap ones.
Besides,what is really diffent between a person who overuses cheap booze like vodka or beer and person who overuses more expensive like champagne,cognac or scotch?
I say,no difference.
They both are bums.

As far as I know Russia is doubling the price of vodka and increases in the U.K to the price of alcohol where binge drinking has reached alarming proportions are in line. Another factor is the amount of revenue 'the tax man' can collect.

The note at the bottom of the article should mention that the International Center for Alcohol Policies is an agency of the largest international distillers and brewers. Marcus Grant is speaking on behalf of the international alcohol trade, which opposes taxes or anything else which will push down sales of their products.

"In short, there are no easy answers to this serious problem ... ".

Wrong! Bullshit! How about the government of the CR, instead of increasing its take as it did only a few months ago, actually reduce its take by a significant amount in an effort to wean drinkers off the illicit, counterfeit stuff and (back)onto the safe, legal stuff. That would be the responsible thing to do.

Pigs might fly. It's next to impossible to reason with the socialistic, regulatory mindset of Western elites and 'experts".

I watched a an english speaking documentary on illicit alcohol production in Russia. The effects of those drinking 'alcohol' with industrial additives were tragic in the extreme. It is tantamount to deliberate poisoning and those without adequate health checks are open to 'profit from mortal poisining'.