Sin taxes are absurd - and absurdly wrong

Politicians seem to think that tobacco or alcohol excuses the introduction of pretty much any bullying new law. From ID cards to infantilising age checks to  sobriety tests, booze is the weapon of choice for our authoritarian masters.
And so the Coalition announces that it wants to tax higher-alcohol content drinks more. Because, of course, this is an industry that's just had it so easy of late.
The government should stop treating adults like children. You control kids with little rules like this, not grown ups. We're entitled to eat and drink what we like, without pathetic interference from the state, which already overtaxes us. They were elected to stop the nanny state, not extend it.
By Alex Deane