Academics support higher drink costs

The study, carried out by Dr Robin Purshouse and colleagues, is

published in medical journal The Lancet today.

Researchers drew up various models based on different alcohol pricing rules, such as across-the-board price increases, a minimum unit price, a ban on drink promotions and a complete alcohol ban.

They found that, if a minimum cost of 50p per unit of alcohol was introduced then, 10 years later, there could be 2,900 fewer premature deaths per year, as well as 41,000 fewer cases of chronic illness and 8,000 fewer injuries.

A minimum unit cost of 50p could also result in 92,000 fewer hospital admissions each year, saving the NHS 270m annually.

The authors say price increases are effective for cutting consumption and healthcare costs in all population groups.

It was claimed yesterday that hospital admissions could be cut by five per cent if services to help drinkers were improved.

The assertion came after a study by the British Society of

Gastroenterology, Alcohol Health Alliance UK and the British

Association for Study of the Liver.