Tax on alcohol and cigarettes was increased by 2% in the Budget, adding an estimated 6p to a pint of beer and 14p to a bottle of whisky.

Tax on alcohol and cigarettes was increased by 2% in the Budget, adding an estimated 6p to a pint of beer and 14p to a bottle of whisky.

The announcement attracted fierce criticism from the alcohol industry, with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) describing the increase as "a blow at the worst possible time".

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the increase "signed the death warrant for thousands of pubs". Whisky distillers say they already face tough market conditions at home and abroad, following duty rises of more than 13.5% in 2008.

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the SWA, said: "A duty increase during a recession is a real blow and follows last year's duty rises on Scotch, the largest since the 1970s.

"The government should be supporting all UK businesses, including Scotch whisky distillers who have the potential to help drive the economy out of recession. Instead, our industry is being weakened. At a time when the Chancellor is looking for additional revenue, we believe that an increase in excise duty will be counterproductive.

"As this represents a 5% increase in real terms, the Treasury is likely to see lower receipts as the rise aggravates already tough market conditions in the UK, the industry's third-largest market, and weak consumer confidence.

"The rise sets an unwelcome precedent for other governments around the world who are also seeking to raise revenues."

The BBPA also attacked the tax increase, saying it would lead to pub closures. A spokesman said: "The Budget signs the death warrant for thousands of Britain's pubs and tens of thousands of British jobs." But Alcohol Concern welcomed the rise in duty, saying higher prices lead to lower consumption.

Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker said: "Over the past 20 years successive governments stood by as alcohol became progressively more affordable.

"We now drink far more than our parents ever did and have seen a dramatic increase in alcohol-related deaths, crime and disorder. The burden on our health service and police forces is unacceptable.

"Alcohol misuse costs our economy around £25bn per year.

"Increasing tax would be a positive first step towards tackling this country's alcohol problems.

"Supermarkets should not be allowed to absorb increases and continue to deep-discount and sell alcohol at a loss. Introducing a minimum price will allow pubs and bars to compete on a level playing field."

The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said the increase would add 7p to the average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes.

Health group Ash said the tobacco duty was not enough to curb smoking rates.