Fed: War of words breaks out over binge drinking

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2008
Fed: War of words breaks out over binge drinking

A war of words has erupted after federal Health Minister NICOLA ROXON accused the former
Howard government of fuelling teenage binge drinking.

Ms ROXON claims a decision in 2000 to cut excise on premixed has helped fuel the surge
in excessive drinking by young people .. particularly girls.

A furious opposition Leader BRENDAN NELSON has branded the claim an outrageous slur.

Dr NELSON says the coalition supported the rise in the excise and denies the move
is to blame for binge drinking.

He says the former government responsibly put excise and taxes on alcoholic drinks
to make sure that they didn't reduce in price.

A bottle of the sugary alco-pops are now up to one dollar thirty more expensive following
the Rudd government's decision to lift the excise by 70 per cent in a bid to tackle binge
drinking.

AAP RTV mfh/sw

KEYWORD: ALCOHOL (CANBERRA)

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