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Plan to raise price of alcohol Plan to raise price of alcohol
(20 minutes later)
The government's top medical adviser has drawn up plans for a minimum price for alcohol which would double the cost of some drinks in England.The government's top medical adviser has drawn up plans for a minimum price for alcohol which would double the cost of some drinks in England.
Under the proposal from Sir Liam Donaldson, it has been reported that no drinks could be sold for less than 50 pence per unit of alcohol they contain.Under the proposal from Sir Liam Donaldson, it has been reported that no drinks could be sold for less than 50 pence per unit of alcohol they contain.
It would mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.It would mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.
The proposal is aimed at tackling alcohol misuse and is set out in his annual report on the nation's health.The proposal is aimed at tackling alcohol misuse and is set out in his annual report on the nation's health.
The BBC's health correspondent Adam Brimelow said Sir Liam's recommendation would not automatically become policy. The BBC's health correspondent Adam Brimelow said Sir Liam's recommendation would not automatically become government policy.
He added that recent research from the Department of Health had shown that a minimum of 50 pence per unit of alcohol, which was reported in the Sunday Telegraph, would reduce consumption by almost 7%. But he said Sir Liam was influential and had advocated a ban on smoking in public places long before it became law.
Our correspondent added that recent research from the Department of Health had shown that a minimum of 50 pence per unit of alcohol would reduce consumption by almost 7%.
Earlier this month the Scottish government published plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol, which is strongly opposed by retailers and the drinks industry. No price threshold was set.Earlier this month the Scottish government published plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol, which is strongly opposed by retailers and the drinks industry. No price threshold was set.
Sir Liam's report is due to be published on Monday. Setting a minimum price could have a particular impact on "own brand" or "value pack" beers and ciders.
Sir Liam's report is due to be published on Monday. The proposals as they stand do not apply to Wales or Northern Ireland.
Hospital admissions
Ministers are determined to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse, which impacts on health, crime and anti-social behaviour.
The NHS bill for alcohol abuse is an estimated £2.7bn a year.
The most recent figures show hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in England since 1995.
Alcohol was the main or secondary cause of 207,800 NHS admissions in 2006/7, compared to 93,500 in 1995/96.
The figures include hospital admissions for a specific alcohol-related condition - such as liver disease, but also admissions where alcohol is a contributory factor but not the main cause - such as falls due to drunkenness.
Of hospital admissions in 2006/7 specifically due to an alcohol-related diagnosis, almost one in 10 were in under 18 year olds.
The number of alcohol-related deaths in England has doubled since the early 1990s to nearly 9,000 a year.