Richard Siddle, comment February 26

Groucho Marx once quipped he would not want to be in a club that would him as a member and it seems there are those in the drinks industry who feel much the same about signing up to a trade association. 

Now admittedly there are lots of more pressing ways companies need to spend their money, from the tax man down. But arguably there are some areas of investment that should not be cut however hard things are. 

There is not a drinks-related business in the country immune from having to operate in such a stringently regulated environment, with a tax regime that is making it difficult for anyone to make any money out of it.

But those taxes and regulations are going to get a lot worse if the health lobby gets its way and a debt-laden government cashes in on revenues from easy targets.

As an industry we have two choices. Lie back and take the punishment come what may, or carry the fight back, argue for what we believe in and make the case to government, the media and the public over what conditions it is economically never mind morally fair for this sector to operate in.

The best way to do that is through your most appropriate trade association and by adhering to the voluntary codes of behaviour that the government will ultimately use to judge how serious the sector is over responsible drinking. Yes, we may well have to take our medicine, but if we stand up, join forces and fight together then that medicine may be a little more palatable than if we just give up the ghost.

There are clear splits emerging within the sector between those willing to put their money where their mouth is, back our trade associations and sign up to these voluntary agreements, and those accused of standing by and letting others do the dirty work for them.

We reveal this week how intent the health lobby is to capitalise on those cracks and drive wedges between different factions within the drinks sector in the same way it did to bring the tobacco industry to its needs.

If we don't start putting our own house in order soon the health lobby could end up with an easy victory.

• Harpers Says...