date:Nov 06, 2012
Taxes on beer are set to increase by more than 160% under a controversial new law being pushed through the French parliament.
The tax rise will add an estimated five euro cents (four pence; six US cents) to a half-litre glass of beer.
President Francois Hollande's government said the policy would raise 480m euros to invest in social projects for young people and the elderly, and ministers say the move will help reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption.
But trade groups have argued that the r