The Liquor Industry has launched a fresh assault against the so called alcopops tax with sales figures indicating drinkers are turning to hard spirits.
The sale of pre-mixed drinks has fallen by 30 percent since the tax was introduced in April, while the sale of spirits has surged by almost 50 percent.
Stephen Riden from the distilled spirits industry council says consumers have found a way around the rise in costs.
“The tax increase has put the price of the pre-mixed drinks up so much that people are now buying the whole bottle because they realise it is much better value for money to buy the bottle of spirit…”