Plan For Minimum Alcohol Price in UK
A Government Advisor has Proposed a New Alcohol Pricing Scheme
Mar 15, 2009
Sir Liam Donaldson, the British government's top medical advisor has proposed a new scheme where alcoholic drinks will be subject to a minimum price.
Sir Liam Donaldson's Alcohol Price Proposal
Under the new plans that have been put forward by Donaldson, no alcoholic beverage would be allowed to be sold for less than 50 pence per unit. The new plans mean a bottle of wine could cost no less than around £4 and a pint of beer would cost over £1.
The Department of Health stated that such action was being taken because excessive drinking severely harmed people's health. The proposal is aimed at tackling the misuse of alcohol and is outlined within his annual report detailing the nation's health.
According to recent research by the Department of Health, a minimum price of 50 pence per unit in a drink would reduce average consumption by around 7%.
The proposed price hike is obviously industry-opposed with alcoholic drink retailers and makers concerned for what might happen to their income if the price increase is made law. They argue that it will have a significant effect on their business. A spokeswoman from the Department of Health, according to Politics.co.uk, said that any decisions that are made will take into account the wider economic impact that they may have.
The Portman Group, a body set up by the drinks industry with a purpose to promote sensible and safe alcohol consumption, has stated that the proposals would not reduce binge drinking.
However, other bodies, such as Alcohol Concern have said that Donaldson's plan would help deter young people in Britain from excessive drinking.
The Government's View On Alcohol Abuse
The government want to tackle to issue of alcohol misuse in the United Kingdom which has effects on health and crime. The cost of alcohol abuse to the National Health Service (NHS) stands at an estimated £2.7 billion a year. According to BBC News, since 1995, hospital admissions related to alcohol abuse and misuse have doubled.
Alcohol Price Scheme in Scotland
The announcement by Sir Donaldson comes soon after ministers in Scotland announced a similar scheme. On Monday 2 March 2009, plans to place a minimum price on alcohol to prevent it from being sold for incredibly low prices were unveiled. The plans also included the restricting of alcohol marketing to specific areas within shops and retailers.
The original proposals included plans to raise the age where purchasing alcohol in shops is legal to 21 and also an idea to introduce alcohol-only check outs in supermarkets.
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