UK: Minimum price plan to end cheap alcohol sales

[TigerBoy]

Ministers are proposing a minimum price of 45p a unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales as part of a drive to tackle problem drinking.

The Home Office has launched a 10-week consultation on the plan, arguing it will help reduce the levels of ill-health and crime related to alcohol.

It is also considering banning multi-buy promotions, such as two-for-the-price-of-one.

The 45p proposal is 5p higher than the figure suggested by ministers in March.

It comes after pressure has been mounting on the government to follow Scotland's lead, where 50p has been proposed.

The aim of a minimum price would be to alter the cost of heavily-discounted drinks sold in shops and supermarkets. It is not expected to affect the price of drinks in many pubs.

The Home Office said the consultation was targeted at "harmful drinkers and irresponsible shops".

A spokesman added: "Those who enjoy a quiet drink or two have nothing to fear from our proposals."

The 45p minimum would mean a can of strong lager could not be sold for less than £1.56 and a bottle of wine below £4.22.

Research carried out by Sheffield University for the government shows a 45p minimum would reduce the consumption of alcohol by 4.3%, leading to 2,000 fewer deaths and 66,000 hospital admissions after 10 years.

The number of crimes would drop by 24,000 a year as well, researchers suggested.


Full story at the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20515918)

[Mortal Coil]

While I think that alcohol dependency is an awful thing, I'm not sure if this is the way to go. If anything, it'll only make the families of alcoholics suffer more.

It's a beautiful day for all teetotalers today. Anyone wanna come over and NOT get drunk? ;)

[TigerBoy]

While I think that alcohol dependency is an awful thing, I'm not sure if this is the way to go. If anything, it'll only make the families of alcoholics suffer more.

It's a beautiful day for all teetotalers today. Anyone wanna come over and NOT get drunk? ;)

Economically I can see your point 100% - an addict isn't going to stop, they'll just spend more money and deprive their family further. Sensible drinkers who simply buy less alcohol should benefit, but since most people drink to help them cope with life, I can see this just being a further financial burden on people in shitty economic times. Perhaps it will save some of them becoming alcoholics but personally I doubt it.

I don't like government getting heavy on this stuff like this myself , and it is going to 'punish' everyone for the issues of some which seems very unfair.

On the 'pro' side, they've closed loads of youth clubs a few years back so I know plenty of kids who ended up just getting drunk in the park instead (and all the problems that go with that). So I think it should make it less likely some of those kids will get drunk. There's also people who get tanked up on cheap supermarket stuff before hitting the clubs and this is known to increase violence and trouble, so again there is hope this could help.

According to a commentator on the news it seems quite possible they'll never get this past legal and industry challenges anyway.

[FergusDunn]

Economically I can see your point 100% - an addict isn't going to stop, they'll just spend more money and deprive their family further. Sensible drinkers who simply buy less alcohol should benefit, but since most people drink to help them cope with life, I can see this just being a further financial burden on people in shitty economic times. Perhaps it will save some of them becoming alcoholics but personally I doubt it.

I don't like government getting heavy on this stuff like this myself , and it is going to 'punish' everyone for the issues of some which seems very unfair.

On the 'pro' side, they've closed loads of youth clubs a few years back so I know plenty of kids who ended up just getting drunk in the park instead (and all the problems that go with that). So I think it should make it less likely some of those kids will get drunk. There's also people who get tanked up on cheap supermarket stuff before hitting the clubs and this is known to increase violence and trouble, so again there is hope this could help.

According to a commentator on the news it seems quite possible they'll never get this past legal and industry challenges anyway.


Its a problem all over I guess - both young and old - I dont think it will be allowed to happen - the drinks industry is huge with loads of cash and the best in legal advice - this as been ongoing for some time - the legal challenges will be ready.

we have already seen cases of illegal booze production and duty avoidance
- smuggling - I guess that will increase as did the trade in blackmarket cigs.

[CharlieFinley]

What is a "unit of alcohol?"

[TigerBoy]

What is a "unit of alcohol?"

Its a form of measurement by analogy to assist 'guestimating' under the influence :P

A standardised unit is any drink containing 10ml of alcohol. A single legal measure of 40% spirits is one unit, a pint of 'normal strength' beer is approx. two units.

More details and calculator here at drinkaware.co.uk (http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tips-and-tools/drink-diary/).

[CharlieFinley]

This makes me sad. Yay America.

[Tristin.]

oh look, here comes the nanny state: "no, don't do that its bad for our health, allow me to show you how to live your life"

[DerBear]

Its not going to go through. Its already been objected by many other countries. Its likely it will have to go through the European Parliament at this rate.

[jason123]

And I thought American government was bad when it came to screwing with the economy. Good idea on paper but it really messes up a good free market society.

[CharlieFinley]

And I thought American government was bad when it came to screwing with the economy. Good idea on paper but it really messes up a good free market society.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/001/582/picard-facepalm.jpg?1240934151