MINIMUM prices should be imposed on alcohol to curb binge drinking, the government’s top medical adviser will urge.
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson will tomorrow recommend a ban on drinks being sold for less than 50p per alcoholic unit when he delivers his annual report on the state of the nation’s health.
Such a move would particularly affect prices in supermarkets, which have been criticised for selling alcohol as loss leaders.
It would mean the minimum price of a 750ml bottle of Jacob’s Creek red wine, with 9.75 units of alcohol, would be £4.87 and of a 440ml can of Beck’s beer, with 2.2 units, at least £1.10.
The price increase would have most impact on strong, cheap drinks. Four 440ml cans of K cider, which contain nearly 15 units units of alcohol and are currently sold in Tesco for £3.13, would rise to £7.39, and a 70cl bottle of Smirnoff Red Label vodka with 26.25 units of alcohol, which is sold at Tesco for £11.19, would rise to £13.12.
The move would be welcomed by many medical professionals, with alcohol-related illnesses costing the NHS £3 billion a year. Some 400,000 people are admitted to hospital each year with drink-related problems, including 1,000 children below the age of 14.
Scotland is currently preparing legislation to set minimum prices for alcohol including banning two-for-one offers. The Scottish executive has discussed a minimum price of 40p a unit.
But ministers have repeatedly indicated they are reluctant to follow Scotland’s lead, fearing accusations of creating a “nanny state”. They have taken seriously evidence that the measure would have little impact on problem drinking.
Many Labour MPs are also likely to argue that it would not be in the party’s interests to alienate voters who are responsible drinkers by introducing huge price hikes, especially when households are already struggling to make ends meet because of the recession.
David Poley, the chief executive of the Portman Group, set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, said: “This will have a marginal effect on harmful drinkers, while making everyone pay more for a drink. Peer pressure and role modelling are more influential than the price of a drink.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol. Any decisions we make will take into account their wider economic impact during this difficult time.
We need to do more work on this to make sure any action we take is appropriate, fair and effective.”
However, where Scotland has led the way on public health issues, Westminster has often followed some time later — most significantly with the ban on smoking in public places.
Source:the times
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