LN: Cigarette and alcohol tax least of evils

Prague, Sept 19 (CTK) - There are no good taxes, but the excise duties on alcohol and cigarettes are the least harmful since they are levied on superfluous drugs and he who wants them must pay, Lenka Zlamalova writes in Lidove noviny yesterday.

She writes that to be a fundamentalist defender of low taxes is a popular role, particularly in a country with such a high mistrust of the state and establishment like in the Czech Republic.

The Czechs do not comprehend taxes like a contribution to the public service like in Scandinavia, but as a fine and therefore try to avoid paying them, Zlamalova writes.

That is why every call for lower taxes is so popular. It is precisely what people wish: higher welfare benefits and pensions, better services, but lower taxes, Zlamalova writes.

She writes that this is evident in the current debate on excise duty on alcohol in connection with the series of methanol-related deaths and poisonings.

Fundamentalists are sure of that taxes kill people. That the state takes more than a half of the price of an average alcohol drink is driving people to kiosks where they buy dubious alcohol, the fundamentalists say, Zlamalova writes.

This is definitely partially true, Zlamalova writes and demonstrates it on figures.

She says the share of Czech families' spending on hard liquor is almost highest in all Europe, therefore any increase in the price is palpable mainly for people with lower incomes, Zlamalova writes.

She writes that statistics show that alcohol is really a priority. Overall spendings are decreasing while bills for alcohol and cigarettes are rising, by 2 percent for employees, 1.4 percent for pensioners and by as much as 20 percent for the unemployed, Zlamalova writes.

Elsewhere in Europe duties levied on spirit are higher and the consumption of hard liquor is lower there, Zlamalova writes.

She writes that every tax is harmful to society, but the standard of public services, including alcohol controls that are now being urged, must be paid with something, Zlamalova writes.

It is necessary to carefully weigh what is the least evil. Income taxes? They discourage people from work and so raise unemployment, Zlamalova writes.

VAT? It sends the prices of medicines and food up. The real estate tax? It punishes those who have secured their own housing, Zlamalova writes.

She concludes saying the duties levied on spirits and cigarettes are the least harmful. But the state must do its utmost not to allow anyone to avoid them.