Organizations and activists concerned with the alarming increase in alcohol consumption among Israeli teens fear the reform about to take place will not only reduce alcohol consumption as hoped, but the opposite will result, an increase, explaining that while the price of local vodka will increase significantly, there will be an even more noticeable drop in the price of the more costly name brand imports.
Treasury officials insist the planned 50% tariff on locally produced vodka is justified and will accomplish its goal of reducing teen alcoholism since teens getting together will buy a cheap bottle of vodka, but they will not spend for more costly brands. Officials insist that currently, they will buy 4-5 bottles for the night but with the price increase, they simply will not have the money and as a result, they will drink less alcohol. “Instead of spending NIS 100, they will now have to spend NIS 150 or event up to NIS 200 and 14-year-olds simply do not usually have the money” one official is quoted anonymously by Yediot as saying.
The tax will be higher on bottles with higher alcohol content. A NIS 17 bottle will jump to NIS 26, NIS 25 to NIS 38, and NIS 40 to NIS 60. Nachum Michaeli, who works with a non-profit combating teen drinking insists, “Whoever wants to get drunk will find the money”.
The second portion of the reform is at the heart of the dispute, with the inexpensive drinks, generally the local brands, going up in price, while the more expensive imported hard drinks will be dropping by 40%. Michaeli insists the reform will be a disaster, calling it “absurd”, urging the government to halt the implementation before it is too late.
Michaeli explains it is simple, if the price drops 40%, more people are going to buy alcoholic drinks, and it’s that simple.
Treasury officials explain to the anti-drinking activists and agencies there is absolutely no way they can raise taxes on imported alcohol, currently holding at 120%, explaining it is among the highest in the world. Officials intend to bring the tax down to an average of 70%, despite their objections.
Some prices following implementation will indeed make the more known brands increasingly affordable. Examples given in the report include; Chivas Regal (NIS 268 down to NIS 165), Bushmill (NIS 106 down to NIS 85), Grey Goose Vodka (NIS 201 down to NIS 140), Absolut vodka (NIS 70 down to NIS 60), Jack Daniel’s (NIS 191 down to NIS 145), Jameson (NIS 142 down to NIS 115), and Glenmorangie (NIS 435 down to NIS 260).
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
If they would stop selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years old,that might solve the problem. In Israel you can send your 8 year old to the store and have him buy milk bread cigarettes and a bottle of vodka!!!