Home News Editorial 70% Hiking of Alcohol Tax – Is this the Way to Go?

70% Hiking of Alcohol Tax – Is this the Way to Go?

President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama recently announced that alcohol tax would go up by 70%, to try and reduce abuse. Presumably this is part of the new administration’s strategy to mould a Disciplined society that has Dignity?  However there are concerns among ordinary people that such a decision should have been taken after consultation with the larger community, to get their views on how best to prevent alcohol abuse. We understand that the Ministry of Trade and Industry was informed about the intention to increase alcohol tax some three months ago. They should then have solicited the views of the public and other stakeholders. Many people are skeptical that a steep increase in the price of alcohol will stop people from drinking excessively; they believe that those who are bent on drinking themselves into a stupor will find more intoxicating – and possibly harmful alternatives. Botswana has a number of traditional brews that are very potent and supposedly prohibited; many people who cannot afford alcohol may very well turn to theses noxious substances for easy kicks. Consulting widely would have helped gather more ideas on the drinking problem, especially on education against abuse. Educating people about the dangers of uncontrolled drinking could be a more reliable, viable and longer term solution to the problem of excessive drinking, some people say. The precipitous imposition of a heavy tax will have other unintended effects. Those who make a living out of alcohol – manufacturers, distributors, hotels and restaurant, etc. - will be hard hit by the tax and may well have to reduce staff in these days of economic hardship and high unemployment. While we move swiftly to address challenges that face us, we should reflect on the fact that newer problems might be created as a result of the precipitate action taken to solve longstanding problems. A sudden 70% tax on any commodity is bound to have a negative effect on inflation. While we appreciate the role of the government in seeking to mould citizens’ behaviour to change it for the better, our leaders must be careful not to continue eroding civil liberties, because creativity and enterprise do not necessarily thrive well in an authoritarian set up. Discipline and Dignity are definitely desirable qualities, but many Batswana would prefer Democracy and Development to be the leading principles – that is to be given freedom of choice and to be consulted when major decisions are contemplated. For an adult public, discipline is better when it self-imposed; that is self-discipline. And dignity is much more meaningful when derived from choice, rather than from coercion.

 

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