Spirits & Cocktails Australia will use the Braddon by-election to campaign for a freeze in excise on spirits to lower the cost gap between pre-mixed drinks and beer and cheaper wines.

It was a particular issue in Braddon because North-West residents tended to drink a higher proportion of pre-mixed drinks rather than beer and wine than did other Australians, chief executive Alec Wagstaff said.

Spirits & Cocktails Australia said a person  drinking a standard drink from a Jim Beam and Cola can would pay $1.06 in excise.

A person drinking a standard drink of VB draught beer would pay 34c in excise and a person drinking a standard drink of Golden Oak Fruity Lexia cask wine just 5c in tax.

Generally, drinkers of spirits or expensive wines paid far more in tax or excise than did drinkers of beer, cider or cheaper wines.

Mr Wagstaff estimated a person buying a carton of pre-mixed drinks would pay $39 in excise alone, while the excise cost for a carton of beer would be about $17.50.

“Braddon drinkers are carrying more than their fair share of the tax burden,” Mr Wagstaff said.

He said consumers of pre-mixed or RTD (ready to drink) products tended to be low to middle income.

“You’re actually hitting the working person,” he said.

He said the high excise levels held back spirits production start-ups and manufacturing jobs and squeezed retail margins, but the cost ultimately ended up with consumers.

The campaign would include advertising and seeking political support.

“All we’re asking for is a freeze,” he said.

“Don’t make it worse.”

He said taxation of spirits in Australia was significantly higher than in “like societies” such as the UK and New Zealand.

Excise is indexed every six months.

Braddon Liberal candidate Brett Whiteley said: “I’m a big fan of the Coast’s spirit industry.”

”Businesses like Hellyers Road Distillery are really putting us on the map.

“I know this is a complex area, and I'm more than happy to sit down with the experts if I’m elected to discuss the issue.”

Braddon Labor candidate Justine Keay said: ”Local producers like Hellyers Road, Southern Wild, Pure and Wilmot Hills are great for the local economy and jobs on the North-West Coast.”

“I am always happy to sit down with local producers and listen to them about opportunities to grow their businesses.”