Taxes on high-strength beers and lagers are to be increased as part of a drive to encourage responsible drinking, it was announced today.The additional duty will come into effect from autumn 2011 and will be imposed on beer with a strength above 7.5 per cent alcohol by volume, said Downing Street.
Meanwhile, duties on low-alcohol beers with a strength of 2.8 per cent or less will be reduced.
The amount of the new tax will be officially revealed by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget next spring.
But it is believed to be equivalent to around an extra £1.50 for a four-pack of super-strength lager.
A four-pack of Tennent's Super Strength Lager (9 per cent) currently costs around £6.
Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman declined to comment on the size of the levy, but said it was intended to be large enough to influence drinkers' behaviour.
Today's Public Health White Paper makes clear that ministers are determined to tackle the issue of problem drinking.
'We need a new approach to public health, one that directly involves the many influences on our choices,' says the paper, being launched by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
'Too many people die too young, spending too long suffering from preventable ill-health, such as through alcohol abuse.
'The failures of policy to date are clear to see, as we have 1.6 million people dependent on alcohol.'
Read More: Tax crackdown on super-strength beers: Binge drinkers targeted with new £1.50 levy
