Cramlington mam welcomes consultation on white cider tax

A Cramlington mam hopes a higher tax on cheap strong cider will save lives in our region, after the deadly booze killed her teenage daughter.

16-year-old Megan-Craig-Wilkinson died after drinking 1.5 litres of Frosty Jacks cider at a New Year’s Eve party three years ago.

A three litre bottle of the brand costs less than £4, but is just as strong as 22 shots of vodka.

Megan’s mam Joanne stood before parliament last month demanding a higher tax on the super strength booze.

This week, the government have launched a consultation on it.

Joanne said:

“She was responsible, I trusted her and it was just an awful accident. You never think it would happen to you but it has, living with it on a day to day basis is horrific.

“I’m now living in fear every day. I’ve got a 16 year old boy now and he’s got to that age where there’s house parties going on and his friends are doing it and it’s so so difficult.”

The mam of three also plans to share her experience in schools across the North East, with hopes to educate kids and parents about the dangers.

“I have to try and help in some way. If I can reach just one young adult or one young child, then that’ll make me feel that I’ve helped in some way and it didn’t just happen for nothing.

“That’s definitely my aim for the future and I think that is going to be my life’s’ work.”

The consultation runs until 12 June 2017. You can take part here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/alcohol-structures