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David Cameron should impose an across-the-board tax rise on all alcoholic drinks to curb the increase in drink-related disorder and health problems, former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said.
Mr Duncan Smith accused supermarkets of "creating alcoholics" by selling drink so cheaply, and described the practice as being "as close to immoral as you can get".
Mr Cameron has said that, if he wins power, Mr Duncan Smith will be given responsibility for bringing together work across government for tackling what he terms the "broken society".
But his proposals go far beyond official Conservative policy of raising taxes on the problem drinks, such as alcopops and high-strength beer and cider, which have been blamed for binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour.
The Government is resisting widespread calls for minimum unit pricing on alcoholic drinks from experts including Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson and the House of Commons Health Committee, who argue it would limit access to the drinks which cause social harm without affecting social drinkers enjoying a glass of wine at home or a pint of beer in a pub.
But Mr Duncan Smith said middle-class social drinkers should pay extra, as well as binge-drinkers and alcoholics.
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He told The Times: "You need an across-the-board tax. We don't say that smokers are being punished, we say we're taxing cigarettes for health reasons."
Mr Duncan Smith said "cowardice" was to blame for politicians failing to advocate large increases in the cost of alcohol.
Stephen Robertson, of the British Retail Consortium, told The Times: "Supermarkets are the most responsible sellers of alcohol.
"Pushing up prices won't make a difference. Changing attitudes will and that's what retailers are engaged in."
