Set a minimum price for alcohol, watchdog pleads

[gmb45]

a 2ltr bottle of alchi white ?7.50 , better stocked up big time next good offer that comes on because i think its going to happen sooner or later


A minimum price should be set for alcohol to combat Britain's binge drinking epidemic, the NHS's watchdog has recommended.
A crackdown on cheap drink, booze cruises and a possible advertising ban are also among measures put forward to make alcohol more difficult to buy.
The guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence - the Government's health advisory body - is the strongest call yet for a radical shake-up in the nation's 'unhealthy relationship' with alcohol.

The NHS watchdog is pleading for a minimum price on alcohol to combat Britain's binge drinking epidemic

It will severely test the coalition Government's approach to excess drinking.
The Tories have already pledged to stop supermarkets and off-licences selling alcohol below cost price to encourage trade but have stopped short of backing a minimum price fearing an industry backlash..
However, the Lib Dems have a minimum price policy in their manifesto. Nice stopped short of saying what this price should be, although the British Medical Association is backing a 50p per unit minimum.

Enlarge Research shows increasing prices has the biggest effect on the heaviest consumers and on young people, who spend a relatively high proportion of their income on alcohol.
The guidance from Nice also says there should be cuts in the amount of drink holidaymakers and 'booze cruisers' are allowed to import.

The number of outlets selling alcohol could be reduced, along with opening hours, while councils should restrict new licences in 'saturated' areas to cut crime and disorder.
Shops selling to those who are under age or clearly drunk should face penalties or closure, says the guidance, while a complete ban on advertising would protect young people.
Professor Mike Kelly, Nice's public health director said the annual toll of excessive drinking costs the NHS ?2billion, leads to 500,000 related crimes, 17million lost working days, 1.2 million violent incidents and just under 15,000 alcohol-related deaths.
However, Tory MP Peter Bone, a former member of the House of Commons Health Select Committee, said: 'My main problem with minimum pricing is that it increases the profits of supermarkets and does not increase Government revenue.
'My other problem is that you will not combat yobbish behaviour in this country just by putting up the price.
'It is not going to solve the problem. We need a cultural change in this country.'

[barrowmanandrew]

~~~~in great idea. that means all the alkies, will have to turn into lying, cheatin , thieving scumbags, so they can afford there booze...
well done nhs for thinkin that one through!!!
p.s. i think there should be a maximum price on booze for d.kr's , say 8 quid a case...

[Canker_Canison]

'My other problem is that you will not combat yobbish behaviour in this country just by putting up the price.
'It is not going to solve the problem. We need a cultural change in this country.'

Do my ears decieve me? Is that a real politician actually making sense?

Every other non-government backed report shows that increasing the price of alcohol will not stop binge drinking.

If they do insist on the increase I can see a huge jump in home brew kit sales. With a little reading & some easy to buy equipment there'll be kids knocking out wine & beer way above the ABV %. After that it's distillery time...... Moonshine anyone?

Here's an early starter..... Buy apples & pears, mash them up, place in a jar with yeast a little water & a small amount of sugar. Seal jar with an air bubble valve (as purchased from a good off-license) & place in a cool dark place. Leave for about 2 weeks then seperate mush from liquid.