Jem Roberts

Oct 9, 2024 | ias.org.uk | Jem Roberts

Alcohol trade associations seem intent on misinforming their members, the public, and the new Prime Minister. In numerous newspaper articles, interviews, and social media posts, both the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) have claimed that the ‘increase’ in alcohol duty rates last August led to the Treasury losing revenue.

Jul 8, 2024 | ias.org.uk | Jem Roberts

The wine industry is lobbying hard – or “hell-bent” as the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) says – to retain a system where tax per unit of alcohol reduces as wine increases in strength. This goes directly against the objective of the alcohol duty reforms introduced in August 2023, and appears to be an attempt to alarm and confuse its members, policymakers, and the public. So what is the ‘wine easement’ and why is it bad for public health?

Mar 4, 2024 | ias.org.uk | Jem Roberts

There are a great many reasons for why alcohol tax rates vary so much across different European countries, and between product types within-country. This includes: historically varying levels of the production of different types of alcohol, protection of particular industries (e.g. wine industry in France), national income, political considerations, the reliance of governments on duty revenue, and public and political understanding of alcohol harm (Angus, 2019).

Oct 17, 2023 | ias.org.uk | Jem Roberts

We are used to thinking about quality in the products we choose to buy, whether its clothing, food, or alcohol. But is there any truth to this when it comes to alcohol, or is it simply a marketing ploy by the alcohol industry? For time immemorial, the alcohol industry has used the idea of ‘quality’ to promote its products. Beer and lager producers focus on natural ingredients and the craftmanship that has gone into production.