MANCHESTER, England, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Conservatives in Britain's Parliament Wednesday unveiled a package of tax hikes on alcoholic beverages blamed for teenage drinking problems.
The increases target high-potency beer, cider and so-called "alcopop," which are alcoholic beverages mixed with fruit juice.
The Times of London reported the stiff levies are aimed at curbing what the Tories called anti-social drinking fueled by products that get teenagers "very drunk, very quickly."
"The ordinary pint in the pub will not be affected and there will be exemptions for some local traditional products," Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling told a party conference in Manchester.
Grayling said another aspect of the plan would allow local councils to limit the hours of liquor stores that sell alcohol after neighborhood pubs close.
The Sun said halting the practice of selling alcohol at supermarkets at below-cost prices was also under scrutiny by the Tories.
