Increasing tax on alcohol is not the answer to Guernsey's drinking problems, according to the island's director of public health and youth workers. Last week, UK Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt suggested making drink more expensive in an attempt to help tackle underage and binge drinking.
Public health boss Dr David Jeffs said such measures would not have a big effect because of local affluence.
A report on the issue is to go before the States in November for debate.
'Simplistic outlook'
Ms Hewitt urged UK chancellor Gordon Brown to "really increase" taxes on alcohol, especially on drinks such as alcopops, most popular with young people.
Adam Pharish, the island's alcohol worker for the youth housing charity NCH, agreed with Dr Jeffs, saying increasing tax was not the answer even to stop young people from drinking.
He said: "I think it's a simplistic outlook on the problem.
"Plenty of children are affluent because they get quite large allowances from their parents. And, in terms of buying drink, if new taxes were brought in to stop them getting it, they would just find other ways."
The States said its Bailiwick Alcohol Strategy aimed to change attitudes towards alcohol by promoting sensible drinking and to reduce alcohol-related harm.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
