UK Idiots: Plans for minimum alcohol price

Subject: UK Idiots: Plans for minimum alcohol price Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:14 am

The government's top medical adviser has drawn up plans for a minimum price for alcohol which would double the cost of some drinks in England.

Under the proposal from Sir Liam Donaldson, it has been reported that no drinks could be sold for less than 50 pence per unit of alcohol they contain.

It would mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the government "had not ruled out" taking action on cheap alcohol.

Sir Liam's proposal is aimed at tackling alcohol misuse and is set out in his annual report on the nation's health.

This would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet
David Poley, Portman Group

The BBC's health correspondent Adam Brimelow said Sir Liam's recommendation would not automatically become government policy.

But he said Sir Liam was influential and had advocated a ban on smoking in public places long before it became law.

Our correspondent added that recent research from the Department of Health had shown that a minimum of 50 pence per unit of alcohol would reduce consumption by almost 7%.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol - it's clearly linked to people drinking more and the subsequent harm to their health.

LNK

UK Idiots: Plans for minimum alcohol price

UK Idiots: Plans for minimum alcohol price

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