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| Pub beer sales slump to low point | Pub beer sales slump to low point |
| (3 days later) | |
| Beer sales in pubs have slumped to their lowest level since the 1930s, brewery representatives have said. | Beer sales in pubs have slumped to their lowest level since the 1930s, brewery representatives have said. |
| The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) says total beer sales for 2007 are down 22% - some seven million pints a day fewer than their peak in 1979. | The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) says total beer sales for 2007 are down 22% - some seven million pints a day fewer than their peak in 1979. |
| Since then there has been a 49% drop in pub sales, which has been partly offset by an increase in purchases from shops. | Since then there has been a 49% drop in pub sales, which has been partly offset by an increase in purchases from shops. |
| Last week, the Alcohol Health Alliance called for alcohol tax to rise but the BBPA wants a freeze on beer duty. | Last week, the Alcohol Health Alliance called for alcohol tax to rise but the BBPA wants a freeze on beer duty. |
| Total beer sales - in pubs, off licences and supermarkets - have fallen from 12 billion pints a year in 1979 to 9.5 billion in 2007, according to BBPA figures. | Total beer sales - in pubs, off licences and supermarkets - have fallen from 12 billion pints a year in 1979 to 9.5 billion in 2007, according to BBPA figures. |
| Pubs have been particularly affected. Some 29 million pints were sold each day in pubs 28 years ago, compared with 15 million pints a day this year. | Pubs have been particularly affected. Some 29 million pints were sold each day in pubs 28 years ago, compared with 15 million pints a day this year. |
| A pub is the proper place to enjoy a drink in a responsible and regulated atmosphere Camra | |
| In a letter to MPs, the association said increases in costs such as barley, malt, glass, aluminium and energy were cutting brewers' profits. | In a letter to MPs, the association said increases in costs such as barley, malt, glass, aluminium and energy were cutting brewers' profits. |
| The BBPA said tax on beer had increased by 27% since 1997 - compared to 16% for wine, 3% for spirits and 11% for cider. | The BBPA said tax on beer had increased by 27% since 1997 - compared to 16% for wine, 3% for spirits and 11% for cider. |
| BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward told MPs: "We believe the benefits that have been enjoyed by other drinks from a tax freeze should be extended to Britain's national drink - beer. | BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward told MPs: "We believe the benefits that have been enjoyed by other drinks from a tax freeze should be extended to Britain's national drink - beer. |
| "We are calling for government policy to encourage and support Britain's businesses. | "We are calling for government policy to encourage and support Britain's businesses. |
| "British brewers and beers are of world renown. Please join us in our call to the chancellor to freeze beer duty." | "British brewers and beers are of world renown. Please join us in our call to the chancellor to freeze beer duty." |
| Changing tastes | Changing tastes |
| The BBPA also said the smoking ban had had an effect, with a 7% drop in pub beer sales this year alone. | The BBPA also said the smoking ban had had an effect, with a 7% drop in pub beer sales this year alone. |
| "The smoking ban is reducing sales of beer in pubs and will continue to do so," said a spokesman. | "The smoking ban is reducing sales of beer in pubs and will continue to do so," said a spokesman. |
| Changing tastes among younger drinkers, many of whom opted for wine, had contributed to declining beer sales, he added. | Changing tastes among younger drinkers, many of whom opted for wine, had contributed to declining beer sales, he added. |
| The "absence of a level playing field" in alcohol taxation also played a crucial role, the spokesman said. | The "absence of a level playing field" in alcohol taxation also played a crucial role, the spokesman said. |
| The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it backed the BBPA's call over tax on beer "completely". | The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it backed the BBPA's call over tax on beer "completely". |
| A spokesman said: "It is no coincidence that Britain has the highest level of excise duty in the EU and sales in the on-trade are falling, and yet binge-drinking is on the increase as supermarkets cynically exploit the consumer by offering cut-price booze to drink at home. | A spokesman said: "It is no coincidence that Britain has the highest level of excise duty in the EU and sales in the on-trade are falling, and yet binge-drinking is on the increase as supermarkets cynically exploit the consumer by offering cut-price booze to drink at home. |
| Alcohol deaths | Alcohol deaths |
| "A pub is the proper place to enjoy a drink in a responsible and regulated atmosphere." | "A pub is the proper place to enjoy a drink in a responsible and regulated atmosphere." |
| The Alcohol Health Alliance - a new group of 24 leading health organisations - said taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions tightened. | The Alcohol Health Alliance - a new group of 24 leading health organisations - said taxes on alcohol should be increased and advertising restrictions tightened. |
| Raising the price of alcohol by 10% could cut alcohol-related deaths by between 10% and 30%, the organisation said. | Raising the price of alcohol by 10% could cut alcohol-related deaths by between 10% and 30%, the organisation said. |
| The BBPA's members brew 98% of the UK's beer and include nearly two-thirds of the country's 58,000 pubs. | The BBPA's members brew 98% of the UK's beer and include nearly two-thirds of the country's 58,000 pubs. |