I should it would be a nightmare to frame specificaly focused legislation in clearly identifying and describing these drinks. The industry has vast legal resources and would easily find ways to get around this. At the end of the day this class of consumer is not particularly discriminating. I can see increased sales of Metylated Spirits etc.
It does not really matter how much alcohol costs to this sector of consumer, as they are generaly in the happy position of having large disposable incomes and low commitments (No mortgage, council Tax, fuel bills etc.) What is needed is rigourous policing of the existing powers on drunkeness. Get the police officers out of their vans, arresting these people, keep them in custody overnight and put on special hearings at the magistrates courts on the following Monday. This always worked in Liverpool in the 1960's and 1970's

David Nammory, Liverpool,

As usual, politicians open their mouths and half a job comes out.So called binge drinkers can pour tasteless vodka into any drink they like to make it stronger.But thats a spirit and they like that don,t they.

Steve Riley, P.Del Carmen., Lanzarote

Is it me or are these proposals Just a little to complicated, complicated in government always means costly!
Also the money raised is supposed to go to offseting other drinks, but there will be no new money, only an encouragement to go to France and stock up, raising even less tax than now.

Dean Watson, Dover, England

I'd be interested to know how they would define an alcopop. Would it relate to the sugar content? It's not necessarily the alcohol content, but the taste (and image) which are the problem.

Will Duffay, London,