What is it these days with trying to solve all problems with tax if they really want to sort out the problem with alcohol then just go back to the old way of not getting served if your drunk. Many is the time i have been in pubs with friends and seen people who could barely stand getting served and continuing to be served until they get rowdy. Yes there is a problem with alcohol and a certain group in our country but hitting everyone is not the way to solve it.
I say this as someone who doesn't drink and i would also like to stop getting ripped off for soft drinks
. Most people are perfectly able to go for a grown up drink in social surroundings and not leave the pub looking for trouble so stop hitting those and take the time and put in the effort to go after the pains in the backside.