Isn't it plausible to cut taxes levied on basic commodities like food oil, flower and sugar, while increasing taxes on alcohol and other luxurious good?" Hassan Al-Daoudi, an MP for the JDP, told IslamOnline.net Friday, March 28.

He said the main goal of this bid I to protect the poor and low-income brackets.

"We will not cost the state coffers a penny," he vowed.

He said the JDP sees alcohol as a luxury for the poor and the low-income.

"Only well-off people could then afford alcohol, which serves the purpose," he noted.

He said taxes on beer have remained intact since 1979.

"Does it make any sense?" He fumed. "Alcohol and other spirits have not further witnessed any tax increase since 1981 despite that fact that it represents a drain on the state coffers."

Official estimates show that Moroccans consumed a staggering 50 million tones of alcohol in 2006 or a bottle and a half for every citizen of the country's 30 million population.

"Biggest Winner"

Critics say Al-Dawoodi's proposal would do more harm than good to the country's tourist industry.

They further say that alcohol restrictions would create a spontaneous lucrative black market, which badly harms the economy.

Al-Dawoodi rejects this as "nonsense."

"Do you think that tourists would bother pay 30 cents more to have a drink?" he said, shrugging.

He said the state will be the biggest winner if this bill sees the light.

"The state sustains heavy losses every year due to alcohol consumption in terms of tragic road accidents, family disputes, etc.," Al-Dawoudi explained.
Official statistics show that alcohol and drugs are the second cause of road accidents in Morocco.

The penetration of different types of alcohol into the Moroccan market has played a significant role in encouraging consumption.

Add to that the availability of different types of alcohol in supermarkets and some restaurants enables people to come into direct contact with alcoholic beverages.





Source: IslamOnline.net