East Lancashire health expert cheers minimum booze price

6:00pm Thursday 29th November 2012 in News By Sophia Rahman, Reporter

East Lancashire health expert cheers minimum booze price East Lancashire health expert cheers minimum booze price

A LEADING health expert has welcomed a proposal by the Government to set a minimum price for alcohol but has called on MPs to impose a bigger price hike.

The Home Office has launched a 10-week public consultation to a plan to make the minimum price of one unit of alcohol 45p.across England and Wales.

Dominic Harrison, the Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health, has urged ministers to go further.

He said: “While I believe this move is a definite step in the right direction, I would like to see a 50p minimum price introduced, which would only increase the benefits.

“The potential that could come from this could be huge, not only in terms of reducing alcohol abuse and improving health, but also cutting crime and social problems.

“I want to stress this is not about banning alcohol or being killjoys, but the price of alcohol is so low now that it almost invites people to drink too often and to excess.”

If the coalition chose to impose a 50p minimum, as it stands in Scotland, two thirds of prices in supermarkets and off licences would rise with a bottle of vodka increasing in price from £9 to £13.13.

Steve Magnall, managing director of Black burn-based brewers Thwaites said: “Any move that will begin to align pricing of alcohol between the on and off trade is positive news for pub licensees and consumers, as it will encourage people back in to the pubs where they drink in a controlled environment.”

But not everyone is in favour of the move.

David Grant, managing direc tor at Burnley-based Moor house’s, said: “There are many responsible people who like a drink and don’t want to have to pay high prices for it, these people will be penalised by the rise.”

Miles Beale, chief cxecutive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “Minimum unit pricing and the proposed restrictions to promotions are wholly untargeted and will unfairly punish millions of consumers and businesses in the UK, while doing nothing to tackle the root causes of alcohol misuse or associated crime and disorder.”

Comments (16)

6:13pm Thu 29 Nov 12

useyourhead says...

time to build a still methinks
time to build a still methinks useyourhead

6:56pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Reality50 says...

All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.
All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!. Reality50

7:04pm Thu 29 Nov 12

elfnsafety says...

I don't doubt that there is a serious problem with excessive alcohol consumption by some members of society, but the minimum price option being lobbied so hard for by the Health industry is not the solution.
Apart from the fact that there is no evidence the proposal will work - only theory and conjecture, why should moderate drinkers be penalised for the actions of the idiots?
If it were to be introduced, I am sure that after a period of time when the desired result fails to materialise, the health lobby will argue it's because the minimum price is not high enough. Then it will be, let's have 60p or 70p etc., then it will work!
The culprit is largely the easing of the licensing laws. Having recently visited the USA, their policies seem eminently sensible: licensed liquor stores and a prohibition on under 21's purchasing the stuff. Now that would be a good start here.
I don't doubt that there is a serious problem with excessive alcohol consumption by some members of society, but the minimum price option being lobbied so hard for by the Health industry is not the solution. Apart from the fact that there is no evidence the proposal will work - only theory and conjecture, why should moderate drinkers be penalised for the actions of the idiots? If it were to be introduced, I am sure that after a period of time when the desired result fails to materialise, the health lobby will argue it's because the minimum price is not high enough. Then it will be, let's have 60p or 70p etc., then it will work! The culprit is largely the easing of the licensing laws. Having recently visited the USA, their policies seem eminently sensible: licensed liquor stores and a prohibition on under 21's purchasing the stuff. Now that would be a good start here. elfnsafety

7:24pm Thu 29 Nov 12

jim 2012 says...

a Minimum price is just another tax on the low paid and poor
the tax may be illegal under anti competition eu law and unenforceable
a Minimum price is just another tax on the low paid and poor the tax may be illegal under anti competition eu law and unenforceable jim 2012

8:04pm Thu 29 Nov 12

jack daniels says...

Drink less, have less fun and live longer; maybe to the point when your withered old body becomes a strain on our health and social care provision. Do you really want to live to 100, spending every day waiting for an 18yr old kid to come round and change your conti-pads?
Drink less, have less fun and live longer; maybe to the point when your withered old body becomes a strain on our health and social care provision. Do you really want to live to 100, spending every day waiting for an 18yr old kid to come round and change your conti-pads? jack daniels

9:02pm Thu 29 Nov 12

sean_brfc says...

Reality50 wrote:
All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.
It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs.
[quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.[/p][/quote]It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs. sean_brfc

9:13pm Thu 29 Nov 12

BROCKSDAD says...

This will just open the door to more bootleg booze hitting the streets and there is enough of that around now, with all the health implications that contaminated liquor will bring, simplest way to reduce the binge drinking is to reduce the opening hours after all who really needs to be out drinking at three in the morning.
This will just open the door to more bootleg booze hitting the streets and there is enough of that around now, with all the health implications that contaminated liquor will bring, simplest way to reduce the binge drinking is to reduce the opening hours after all who really needs to be out drinking at three in the morning. BROCKSDAD

9:20pm Thu 29 Nov 12

kate11 says...

What is the point when licensing hours are excessive!! Cut back on these and then this would be a start! NDo not penalise the occasional drinker!!
What is the point when licensing hours are excessive!! Cut back on these and then this would be a start! NDo not penalise the occasional drinker!! kate11

9:26pm Thu 29 Nov 12

prince of darkness says...

sean_brfc wrote:
Reality50 wrote:
All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.
It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs.
Where who gets the extra revenue. So next we put up price of creame cakes, as its been decided that they are bad for us. As for price of water its been proved tap water is just as good,we are being over charged thats all.
[quote][p][bold]sean_brfc[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.[/p][/quote]It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs.[/p][/quote]Where who gets the extra revenue. So next we put up price of creame cakes, as its been decided that they are bad for us. As for price of water its been proved tap water is just as good,we are being over charged thats all. prince of darkness

9:54pm Thu 29 Nov 12

BuckoTheMoose says...

prince of darkness wrote:
sean_brfc wrote:
Reality50 wrote:
All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.
It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs.
Where who gets the extra revenue. So next we put up price of creame cakes, as its been decided that they are bad for us. As for price of water its been proved tap water is just as good,we are being over charged thats all.
The EU will declare minimum pricing contrary to international trade laws so the government will 'reluctantly' switch to higher taxes. They don't want to do this to give more profit to the breweries, they want the money for themselves.

BTW the 'beer cheaper than water' meme is just a myth. The examples the government use of cheap alcohol is the stupidly weak own brands from the likes of Tesco. That stuff is hardly better than shandy
[quote][p][bold]prince of darkness[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]sean_brfc[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: All these measures will do is create a black market.The booze cruises to Calais Ostend and Boulogne will return. This isn't about health or even to revive the pub trade but it is about creating more government revenue. A lot of people hate pubs or were driven out due to the smoking ban and now we will have the most expensive supermarket booze prices in Europe. RIP OFF Britain!!!!.[/p][/quote]It isn't a tax, it's a minimum price. And some alcohol is priced far too cheaply in supermarkets; less than water in many cases. Hopefully the minimum price will have a positive impact on the pubs.[/p][/quote]Where who gets the extra revenue. So next we put up price of creame cakes, as its been decided that they are bad for us. As for price of water its been proved tap water is just as good,we are being over charged thats all.[/p][/quote]The EU will declare minimum pricing contrary to international trade laws so the government will 'reluctantly' switch to higher taxes. They don't want to do this to give more profit to the breweries, they want the money for themselves. BTW the 'beer cheaper than water' meme is just a myth. The examples the government use of cheap alcohol is the stupidly weak own brands from the likes of Tesco. That stuff is hardly better than shandy BuckoTheMoose

9:55pm Thu 29 Nov 12

BuckoTheMoose says...

I'm surprised at the short sighted response from Thwaites. The alcohol industry as a whole should be banding together to fight this nonsense.

They didn't do it with the smoking ban though, no reason to expect them to do it now
I'm surprised at the short sighted response from Thwaites. The alcohol industry as a whole should be banding together to fight this nonsense. They didn't do it with the smoking ban though, no reason to expect them to do it now BuckoTheMoose

9:55pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Info-warrior says...

They're polishing the distilleries as we post about the minimum price. Within six months of this coming in to effect you will have gallons of unregulated bootleg booze coming to our shores and if you let one bottle in they'll all want to come here and there will be rivers of vodka running through streets of Britain.
They're polishing the distilleries as we post about the minimum price. Within six months of this coming in to effect you will have gallons of unregulated bootleg booze coming to our shores and if you let one bottle in they'll all want to come here and there will be rivers of vodka running through streets of Britain. Info-warrior

11:08pm Thu 29 Nov 12

2 for 5p says...

DANGER:

This just shows how out of touch with the common man this GOV is.

QUOTE:


“The potential that could come from this could be huge, not only in terms of reducing alcohol abuse and improving health, but also cutting crime and social problems.

1. If someone is hooked on alcohol they will make sure they get it somehow
2. If they have to steal to get the money they will, so crime will probably go up.
3. Social problems get on this planet Cameron , if a guy or Woman hooked on alc has to pay more they will , who Cameron do you think will have to go without , yes the children , ever penny you increase alcohol some kid will be worse off.
4. I think this will also drive it underground peole going on booze cruises and well laugh if you want , :-) making moonshine.

That's what we should expect though from a eton twit who has never had to work a day in is life.
DANGER: This just shows how out of touch with the common man this GOV is. QUOTE: “The potential that could come from this could be huge, not only in terms of reducing alcohol abuse and improving health, but also cutting crime and social problems. 1. If someone is hooked on alcohol they will make sure they get it somehow 2. If they have to steal to get the money they will, so crime will probably go up. 3. Social problems get on this planet Cameron , if a guy or Woman hooked on alc has to pay more they will , who Cameron do you think will have to go without , yes the children , ever penny you increase alcohol some kid will be worse off. 4. I think this will also drive it underground peole going on booze cruises and well laugh if you want , :-) making moonshine. That's what we should expect though from a eton twit who has never had to work a day in is life. 2 for 5p

1:22am Fri 30 Nov 12

Return of the Magnificent se7en says...

Look at the pandemonium caused when someone puts a junkies fix price up,
please read above.
This will just drive them into the toilets to drink the hand sanitiser
Look at the pandemonium caused when someone puts a junkies fix price up, please read above. This will just drive them into the toilets to drink the hand sanitiser Return of the Magnificent se7en

9:37am Fri 30 Nov 12

HarwoodBiker says...

Hardly the end of the world, is it? Brewing your own beer and wine isn't difficult at all; if you don't want to pay supermarket prices, make your own! And as for spirits, who drinks that much in spirits that the price increase will affect them?
Hardly the end of the world, is it? Brewing your own beer and wine isn't difficult at all; if you don't want to pay supermarket prices, make your own! And as for spirits, who drinks that much in spirits that the price increase will affect them? HarwoodBiker

4:09pm Fri 30 Nov 12

sean_brfc says...

To prince of darkness:

Cream cakes rarely lead to anti-social behaviour.
To prince of darkness: Cream cakes rarely lead to anti-social behaviour. sean_brfc

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree