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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Call to halt cheap alcohol offers | Call to halt cheap alcohol offers |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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. |
| A British Medical Association report said pricing and promotion of drinks was fuelling an "alcohol epidemic". | A British Medical Association report said pricing and promotion of drinks was 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. | 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, but Tesco has already indicated it is prepared to discuss pricing. | 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 did not recommend how large the tax hike should be, but pointed out a 10% rise could reduce alcohol-related deaths by nearly 30%. | 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 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 is a crucial determinant of how much we drink Don Shenker, of Alcohol Concern Send us your comments | |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| PRICE OF A DRINK IN THE UK Up 14%: Price of beer in a pub from 2001 to 2006Down 9%: Price of beer from a supermarket or off-licence from 2001 to 2006Alcohol was 65% more affordable in 2006 than in 1980 Sources: The Information Centre and the Institute for Alcohol Studies | |
| "As doctors we see first-hand how alcohol misuse destroys lives. | "As doctors we see first-hand how alcohol misuse destroys lives. |
| "It causes family breakdowns, is a major factor in domestic violence, ruins job prospects and kills." | "It causes family breakdowns, is a major factor in domestic violence, ruins job prospects and kills." |
| Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, added: "We are not saying alcohol is all bad - just that it should be drunk in moderation. | Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, added: "We are not saying alcohol is all bad - just that it should be drunk in moderation. |
| "In that sense, it is a much more difficult message to get across than smoking." | "In that sense, it is a much more difficult message to get across than smoking." |
| He also accused Tesco of being "disingenuous" in its suggestion that government had to act first. | 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." | "They cannot absolve themselves of responsibility, but we do welcome their willingness." |
| Competition law | 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 into 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." | 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." |