Germany Imposes Sin Tax on 'Alcopops'

Monday sees the introduction in Germany of a new tax on so-called alcopops, alcoholic mixed drinks sold in cans or bottles. The German government hopes that the tax, which ups the price by 80 cents, will make alcopops less attractive to young people. Youth enjoy the sweet taste of flavored alcoholic beverages (FABs), but the sugar hides the double shot of hard liquor also contained in the bottle. The German government has taken action against the flavored drinks that it says causes higher rates of underage drinking. The German government's commissioner for drug policy, Marion Caspers-Merk said the tax effectively doubles the price of alcopops. "We want to give a clear signal with this that we do not want people under 18 buying them," she said. The government says it will use the income from the surcharge to educate young people about the dangers of drinking. In other words: It wants kids to know that so-called FABs aren't fab at all.