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Call to halt cheap alcohol offers Call to halt cheap alcohol offers
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The government needs to introduce tougher measures to limit the sale of cheap alcohol, doctors warn.The government needs to introduce tougher measures to limit the sale of cheap alcohol, doctors warn.
Supermarket giant Tesco backed the calls for legislation, saying current competition laws prevented retailers from artificially raising prices. A British Medical Association report said pricing and promotion of drinks was fuelling an "alcohol epidemic".
A report by the British Medical Association says the pricing and promotion of drinks is fuelling an alcohol epidemic. It called for an end to happy hours in pubs and cut-price supermarket deals as well as improved access to treatment.
The government is due to carry out research into the issue this year. The government is due to carry out research into the issue this year, but Tesco has already indicated it is prepared to discuss pricing.
The BMA report is based on placing greater restrictions on the availability and access to alcohol.The BMA report is based on placing greater restrictions on the availability and access to alcohol.
It also said the drink drive limit should be reduced. It did not recommend how large the tax hike should be, but pointed out a 10% rise could reduce alcohol-related deaths by nearly 30%.
The report also said the drink drive limit should be reduced from 80mg per 100ml to 50mg per 100ml, which would effectively mean drivers could only consume a small glass of wine or one beer.
The fact of the matter is price plays a crucial determinant of how much we drink Don Shenker, of Alcohol Concern Send us your commentsThe fact of the matter is price plays a crucial determinant of how much we drink Don Shenker, of Alcohol Concern Send us your comments
A spokeswoman said: "The BMA believes the UK is in the midst of an epidemic and tough action is needed to tackle alcohol misuse, which is spiralling out of control."
Alcohol consumption has been rising steadily for the past 15 years, with figures suggesting a third of men and a fifth of women drink more than the recommended levels each week.Alcohol consumption has been rising steadily for the past 15 years, with figures suggesting a third of men and a fifth of women drink more than the recommended levels each week.
Alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled since 1991 to over 8,700 a year.Alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled since 1991 to over 8,700 a year.
In contrast, the cost of beer and wine has remained relatively stable, meaning in real terms it has got cheaper as income has increased.In contrast, the cost of beer and wine has remained relatively stable, meaning in real terms it has got cheaper as income has increased.
The Health Alcohol Alliance, which represents 24 health groups, published a report last year which suggested a 10% rise in alcohol prices could cut deaths by up to a third. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science, said the government was too close to industry and had to introduce legislation to compel it to act.
'Too simplistic' "As doctors we see first-hand how alcohol misuse destroys lives.
However, Tesco said it was too simplistic to blame price alone for binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems. "It causes family breakdowns, is a major factor in domestic violence, ruins job prospects and kills."
Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Tesco's executive director for corporate and legal affairs, said action would have to come from the government. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, added: "We are not saying alcohol is all bad - just that it should be drunk in moderation.
She said: "We can't put up our prices because people will simply shop elsewhere - it could be commercial suicide - and we can't act together to put up prices because that would be against competition law. "In that sense, it is a much more difficult message to get across than smoking."
"Supermarkets are not allowed to act together to put up prices because that would be bad for the consumer." He also accused Tesco of being "disingenuous" in its suggestion that government had to act first.
"They cannot absolve themselves of responsibility, but we do welcome their willingness."
Competition law
Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Tesco's executive director for corporate and legal affairs, said action would have to come from the government, but it was willing to enter discussions.
She said: "We can't put up our prices because people will simply shop elsewhere - it could be commercial suicide - and we can't act together to put up prices because that would be against competition law."
Don Shenker, Alcohol Concern's director of policy and services, said: "Ministers and civil servants are no doubt committed to bringing down alcohol-related harms, but it can sometimes seem from the outside that they're ducking the big choices.Don Shenker, Alcohol Concern's director of policy and services, said: "Ministers and civil servants are no doubt committed to bringing down alcohol-related harms, but it can sometimes seem from the outside that they're ducking the big choices.
"The fact of the matter is price is a crucial determinant of how much we drink.""The fact of the matter is price is a crucial determinant of how much we drink."
But he also said treatment services for dependent drinkers were underfunded.But he also said treatment services for dependent drinkers were underfunded.
The government published an alcohol harm reduction strategy in 2004, but it mainly concentrated on improving treatment, raising awareness and enforcing drinking laws.The government published an alcohol harm reduction strategy in 2004, but it mainly concentrated on improving treatment, raising awareness and enforcing drinking laws.
Last year a follow up report promised to review the "evidence on the relationship between alcohol, price, promotion and harm".Last year a follow up report promised to review the "evidence on the relationship between alcohol, price, promotion and harm".
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The research team from the University of Sheffield has been selected and we expect initial findings in the summer."A Department of Health spokesman said: "The research team from the University of Sheffield has been selected and we expect initial findings in the summer."