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Plans for minimum alcohol price Plans for minimum alcohol price
(about 3 hours 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, 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.
Cabinet minister Douglas Alexander said the government would consider what Sir Liam had to say in his report.Cabinet minister Douglas Alexander said the government would consider what Sir Liam had to say in his report.
But Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said ministers had no intention of going ahead with something that would punish the responsible majority of drinkers.
The proposal is aimed at tackling alcohol misuse and is set out in Sir Liam's annual report on the nation's health.The proposal is aimed at tackling alcohol misuse and is set out in Sir Liam's annual report on the nation's health.
This would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet David Poley, Portman GroupThis would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet David Poley, Portman Group
The BBC's health correspondent Adam Brimelow said Sir Liam's recommendation would not automatically become government policy. A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol - it's clearly linked to people drinking more and the subsequent harm to their health."
But he said Sir Liam was influential and had advocated a ban on smoking in public places long before it became law. She said more work needed to be done to make sure action was "appropriate, fair and effective" but decisions would take the "wider economic impact during this difficult time" into account.
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%. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said it was important to deal with people's attitudes and not just the supply and price of alcohol.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol - it's clearly linked to people drinking more and the subsequent harm to their health. The Liberal Democrats backed Sir Liam's stance and said putting an end to "pocket-money priced alcohol" would influence drinking behaviour.
Industry opposed Industry reaction
"Any decisions we make will take into account their wider economic impact during this difficult time.
"It would be wrong to make sweeping changes without consideration of all the options suggested by our research published in December.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe way forward is to tackle the causes of alcohol addiction - raising the price would simply exacerbate the problemIan Cheese, London, UKSend us your comments
"We need to do more work on this to make sure any action we take is appropriate, fair and effective."
Carys Davis of Alcohol Concern said that setting a minimum price for alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking.Carys Davis of Alcohol Concern said that setting a minimum price for alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking.
She said: "It tends to bring up the prices of the alcoholic drinks that are drunk by harmful and very young drinkers, whereas you'll find that moderate drinkers tend not to really see a negligible financial effect. She said: "It tends to bring up the prices of the alcoholic drinks that are drunk by harmful and very young drinkers, whereas you'll find that moderate drinkers tend not to really see a negligible financial effect."
"So for the price that Liam Donaldson is suggesting - which is 50 pence per unit minimum - moderate drinkers will spend on average about eleven pounds eighty per year more on their alcohol and they'll see a consumption drop slightly as well" class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe way forward is to tackle the causes of alcohol addiction - raising the price would simply exacerbate the problemIan Cheese, London, UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6205">Send us your comments
But the Portman Group, set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, said it opposed the plan. class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/7917824.stm">Scots plan on cheap alcohol Dr Chris Record, a liver specialist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, said there was a "very, very close link between price and consumption" and increasing the price of alcohol would "target those people that are drinking at harmful or hazardous levels".
Portman chief executive David Poley told The Sunday Telegraph: "This would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet, and it would not deter those people who drink to get drunk." A Tesco spokeswoman said: "If government comes forward with a package of proposals including minimum alcohol pricing, we would enter into discussions positively".
The Portman Group, set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, opposes the plan.
Portman chief executive David Poley said: "This would have a marginal effect on harmful drinkers but force hard-working families to pay more for a drink."
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.
Setting a minimum price could have a particular impact on "own brand" or "value pack" beers and ciders.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.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 class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/7917824.stm">Scots plan on cheap alcohol
Ministers are determined to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse, which impacts on health, crime and anti-social behaviour. The BBC's health correspondent Adam Brimelow said Sir Liam's recommendation would not automatically become government policy.
But he said Sir Liam was influential and had advocated a ban on smoking in public places long before it became law.
The NHS bill for alcohol abuse is an estimated £2.7bn a year.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.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.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.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.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.The number of alcohol-related deaths in England has doubled since the early 1990s to nearly 9,000 a year.