To the Editor: Skov puts the case for an alcohol taxation policy in Australia.1 Few people, if any, in public health would disagree that alcohol is a serious public health issue in Australia, and few would doubt that higher prices will reduce consumption. But why tax the consumers directly? Why not tax the providers?
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- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
Correspondence: g.mooney@westnet.com.au
- 1. Skov SJ; Royal Australasian College of Physicians Alcohol Advisory Group. Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 437-439. [Published online ahead of print 16 Mar 2009.] <MJA full text>
- 2. Alcohol Policy Coalition. Marketing and advertising of alcohol — policy statement. http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/ceu/prevent/alcohol/policy_statement_marketing_advertising.pdf (accessed Apr 2009).
- 3. Shanahan L. $1.6 billion hole after alcopop tax fizzles. The Age (Melbourne) 2009; 19 Mar. http://www.theage.com.au/national/16-billion-hole-after-alcopop-tax-fizzles-20090318-926j.html?page=-1 (accessed May 2009).
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