Alcohol, tax on alcohol The withdrawal industry is, as usual, at a standstill

On September 7, Conservative Party program committee leader Linda Hofstad Helleland released a first draft of a new party program.

The program proposal contains many points with a recognizable conservative policy, where the creation of value to guarantee well-being is a common thread.

Also read: Conservatives want cheaper spirits and wines; face strong opposition: – Not the right time in the middle of a corona pandemic

The abstinence industry is at a standstill

Even before Linda Hofstand Helleland was able to present the draft of the program, the proposal to reduce taxes on alcohol generated strong opposition. Several organizations, including Actis, the National Public Health Association, and the Diabetes Association, quickly joined forces and called on conservatives to reject the proposal.

This is exactly as expected, and it happens completely on autopilot whenever alcohol taxes are discussed.

Spreading the concern always gives these organizations free access to the press. As with everyone who operates in public, visibility is important, and the cry that lower alcohol taxes are dangerous gives that visibility.

The abstinence industry is the useful idiots and best friends of criminals.

That’s why this abstinence industry’s cry happens every time alcohol taxes are talked about.

These organizations have gone completely wrong.

Also read: The online newspaper has asked all parties: This is what they say about the tax-free regime

Norway’s strict alcohol policy works badly

Alcohol can be very dangerous. There is no doubt about that. But does that automatically mean that high alcohol taxes and strict Norwegian alcohol policy are successful?

It’s not like that. If you look at the global alcohol statistics thoroughly, it is difficult to see that Norway’s strict alcohol policy has yielded the desired results. I have reviewed this before.

If you look at the statistics on alcohol from the World Health Organization, WHO, you will see that many countries that have a significantly more liberal alcohol policy than Norway, do not have a higher prevalence of alcohol dependence and abuse than we do.

Also read: Strong increase: Norwegians hoard wine

For example, Italy, where alcohol consumption is roughly the same as in Norway, has significantly less alcohol problems. And that’s with low taxes and free alcohol sales at grocery stores.

But this is not what the abstinence industry, led by Actis, wants to talk about.

Border trade

The conservatives’ reason for wanting to reduce alcohol taxes is cross-border trade. Cross-border trade is unfortunate for several reasons. It costs Norwegian society many thousands of jobs in retail as many prefer to buy cheaper abroad. Also, the state loses taxes.

In recent years, environmental considerations have been increasingly highlighted as a reason to reduce cross-border trade. Cross-border trade provides a lot of travel and therefore emissions.

Cheaper alcohol abroad is a major reason for cross-border trade. Therefore, the Conservative Party program committee will reduce alcohol taxes.

Here you can read more posts from Kjell-Magne Rystad.

Useful idiots for criminals

Another aspect of high alcohol taxes is that it results in a lot of smuggling and organized crime. Norway’s high tariffs provide great benefits to smugglers. The fight against smuggling through control and prosecution measures requires great resources both in customs and in the judiciary. But this can never get rid of contraband. Bakers are rarely caught. The higher the fees, the more lucrative this crime is.

Another serious aspect of smuggling is that there are no quality controls or age limits for purchases. This can be very dangerous. Dangerous smuggled alcohol has caused loss of life in the past.

In short, the Conservative Party’s proposal to reduce alcohol taxes is a good proposal. The screaming withdrawal industry should not be heard.

And even if you want to prevent smuggling, it is even more difficult to prevent alcohol from being produced and sold illegally in Norway. Alcohol is very easy to prepare. Anyone can make it on the kitchen counter with inexpensive, easily accessible ingredients and equipment.

Also read: Overview of all of Europe – it is much more expensive in Norway

Therefore, high taxes on alcohol have very damaging consequences.

The abstinence industry is the useful idiots and best friends of criminals.

Good proposal from the conservatives

Reducing cross-border trade is just one reason the Conservative Party’s proposal to cut taxes on alcohol is a good one. Reducing smuggling and illegal billing with all its associated problems is equally important.

There is little reason to believe that high taxes on alcohol are especially helpful for those who have problems with alcohol. The WHO alcohol statistics do not indicate that Norway’s strict alcohol policy is successful. On the contrary.

So the interests of the vast majority of us must also count. Those of us who like to have a glass of beer or wine from time to time, without paying too much. Of course, the vast majority of those who enjoy alcohol without having a problem with it are also interested in paying less.

In short, the Conservative Party’s proposal to reduce alcohol taxes is a good proposal.

The screaming withdrawal industry should not be heard.