Minimum price urged to combat 'shocking' rise in alcohol abuse

Ministers are accused of being too close to drinks companies and supermarkets in a scathing report by the Health Select Committee which points to a "failure of will and competence" over alcohol policy by the Government.

The report says the alcohol industry depends for three-quarters of its sales on people drinking at hazardous or harmful levels, but holds more power over Government policy than expert health professionals.

It recommends a rise in the price of drinks as the most effective way of bringing down consumption and reducing the annual toll of up to 40,000 deaths.

A minimum price of 50p a unit could save an estimated 3,000 lives each year, and a 40p minimum could save 1,100.

A unit is reckoned to be a third of a pint of beer or half a standard (175ml) glass of red wine.

The report rejects as a myth the claim that minimum pricing would hit moderate drinkers. At 40p a unit, someone drinking six units a week would pay 11p a week more than at present, it says.

Minimum pricing would benefit traditional pubs and encourage drinkers to switch to weaker beers, wines and ciders. It would have the greatest impact on the cheap high-strength lagers and "industrial white cider" favoured by young binge drinkers and heavy drinkers.

About 31 per cent of men and 21 per cent of women are now thought to be drinking "hazardously", consuming more than 21 units a week for men and 14 for women, and nine per cent of men and six per cent of women drink "harmfully", more than 50 units for men and 35 for women.

Today's report accuses Ministers of "extraordinary naivety" in thinking 24-hour licensing would usher in a continental-style cafe culture, rather than alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

The report calls for year-on-year increases in alcohol duties, with particularly sharp rises for spirits and white cider.

Compulsory health messages, including recommended weekly limits, should be included on the label of every alcoholic drink.

Committee chairman Kevin Barron, MP for Rother Valley, said: "The facts about alcohol misuse are shocking. It is now time for bold government.

"Even small reductions in the number of people misusing alcohol could save the NHS millions."

Peter Carter, of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The number of people in this country suffering as a result of excessive drinking is simply scandalous

"As we approach the General Election, all parties must realise the severity of this dire situation and make a commitment to take drastic action to stop it spiralling out of control."

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said action had already been taken.

"Despite this, current levels of alcohol-related hospital admissions, crime, and deaths are unacceptable. Much more can, and will, be done to turn this around – but the change won't happen overnight," she added.

WHAT COMMITTEE IS CALLING FOR

The introduction of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol.

An increase in the duty on spirits and industrial white cider.

Strengthening of the "feeble" licensing and enforcement regime.

Tighter and independent regulation on alcohol promotion.

Mandatory health labelling for alcoholic drinks.

Vast improvements in "dire" alcohol treatment services.

Better early detection of alcohol abuse.