Plans to place a 6% levy on beer sold in Vermont, USA, are currently being discussed to raise more money for substance abuse programmes, the Associated Press reports. Beer is a frequently abused substance and should therefore contribute to the programmes, the Vermont Association for Medical Health and Senator James Leddy argue, but brewers, beer wholesalers, and grocers, have teamed up to oppose the plans, saying that the plans would only drive drinkers into New Hampshire for their beer instead.

18 April, 2003