Tax levies fail to make any real difference

HAVING recently moved back to Ireland, I read your cover story “…world’s biggest spenders on alcohol” (Irish Examiner, September 25) with interest.

I am not attempting to mitigate the apparent increasing alcohol issue in this country, nor am I arguing the case on behalf of the drinks industry group, but it appears to me that some facts are being read out of their true context.

Firstly, there is a disproportionate tax levy on alcohol in Ireland when compared to most other EU countries, such as those mentioned in your article.