Tax increases on alcohol about increasing public health

By Lethbridge Herald on September 2, 2022.

Editor:

The Aug. 6 edition of the Herald contained a misguided column from Robin Speer of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation complaining about automatic tax increases on liquor. Contrary to what the letter said about this being “cowardice,” this fiscal provision is about increasing public health.

All alcoholic beverages are carcinogenic. Just as we have seen heart disease and cancer rates decline worldwide from countries making tobacco industry products less affordable through tax increases, we will have less chronic disease here at home if liquor taxes are hiked. 

Clearly the Taxpayers Federation is shamefully more interested in the increasing the amount of the almighty dollar for store owners than reducing the horrible anguish among Canadians suffering harm from disease. 

Let’s put pressure on our politicians to do the right things and hike taxes even more on harmful products. 

Ken Kyle

Lethbridge