(TheAge) - SALES of traditional ciders have skyrocketed as companies have exploited the current alcohol tax system and targeted young drinkers. Cider sales jumped 188 per cent between 2007 and 2011, according to a new report, and its lead author, Natacha Carragher, said the boom was intricately linked to the alcohol industry taking advantage of the low-taxed traditional apple and pear ciders compared with the tax on alcopops.