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Health advisers call for minimum alcohol unit pricing | Health advisers call for minimum alcohol unit pricing |
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Introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol in England would improve the health of the heaviest drinkers, a review by Public Health England says. | Introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol in England would improve the health of the heaviest drinkers, a review by Public Health England says. |
The report found that although alcohol consumption has dropped since 2008, those in poorer communities are more likely to suffer or die from alcohol-related disease. | The report found that although alcohol consumption has dropped since 2008, those in poorer communities are more likely to suffer or die from alcohol-related disease. |
The coalition government rejected a minimum price for alcohol in 2013. | The coalition government rejected a minimum price for alcohol in 2013. |
Health ministers said they would look at the evidence carefully. | Health ministers said they would look at the evidence carefully. |
The public health review says that alcohol is now more affordable and people are drinking twice as much as they did 40 years ago. | The public health review says that alcohol is now more affordable and people are drinking twice as much as they did 40 years ago. |
More adults are non-drinkers but there are still more than 10 million people in England drinking at levels that could damage their health. | More adults are non-drinkers but there are still more than 10 million people in England drinking at levels that could damage their health. |
And since deaths related to alcohol affect mainly young and middle-aged people, the report suggests there were 167,000 years of working life lost in 2015. | And since deaths related to alcohol affect mainly young and middle-aged people, the report suggests there were 167,000 years of working life lost in 2015. |
It concludes that reducing the affordability of alcohol is the most cost-effective way of reducing alcohol harm. | It concludes that reducing the affordability of alcohol is the most cost-effective way of reducing alcohol harm. |
But a plan to introduce a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol was shelved by the coalition government three years ago. | But a plan to introduce a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol was shelved by the coalition government three years ago. |
In 2014, a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price, defined as alcohol duty plus VAT, came into force in England and Wales. | In 2014, a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price, defined as alcohol duty plus VAT, came into force in England and Wales. |
'Reductions in harm' | 'Reductions in harm' |
Public Health England (PHE) says implementing a minimum unit price (Mup) is the answer because it "is a highly targeted measure which ensures tax increases are passed on to the consumer and improves the health of the heaviest drinkers". | |
It also adds that combing Mup with an increase in taxation would lead to "substantial reductions in harm and increases in government revenue". | It also adds that combing Mup with an increase in taxation would lead to "substantial reductions in harm and increases in government revenue". |
The report also says there is little evidence to suggest that putting more information on labels on alcoholic drinks would lead to a reduction in alcohol-related harm. | The report also says there is little evidence to suggest that putting more information on labels on alcoholic drinks would lead to a reduction in alcohol-related harm. |
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "While no one would want to interfere with the right of adults to enjoy a drink responsibly, this report shows clearly that the abuse of alcohol can cause significant health problems." | |
And it added that new official guidance on alcohol limits, which say that men and women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, allowed people to make informed choices. | |
Families wrecked | Families wrecked |
Prof Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at PHE, said alcohol damaged more than just individuals. | Prof Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at PHE, said alcohol damaged more than just individuals. |
"Excessive alcohol consumption can harm children, wreck families, impact on workplace colleagues and can be a burden and drain on the NHS and economy. | "Excessive alcohol consumption can harm children, wreck families, impact on workplace colleagues and can be a burden and drain on the NHS and economy. |
"This evidence review will help local and national government and public services like the police and NHS to develop policies designed to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol." | "This evidence review will help local and national government and public services like the police and NHS to develop policies designed to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol." |
Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said she was hopeful that the evidence would be taken on board by government. | Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said she was hopeful that the evidence would be taken on board by government. |
"The health harms of alcohol affect all sectors of society, but are felt most by the poorest and most vulnerable. | "The health harms of alcohol affect all sectors of society, but are felt most by the poorest and most vulnerable. |
"All the evidence now points to Mup as one of the most effective potential ways to tackle these inequalities in harm." | "All the evidence now points to Mup as one of the most effective potential ways to tackle these inequalities in harm." |
In Scotland, laws for the minimum pricing for alcohol were passed in 2012 but have not yet been introduced because of a series of legal challenges. | In Scotland, laws for the minimum pricing for alcohol were passed in 2012 but have not yet been introduced because of a series of legal challenges. |
The Welsh Government has said it wants to set a minimum 50p charge per unit of drink but UK ministers say alcohol law should be controlled by Westminster. | The Welsh Government has said it wants to set a minimum 50p charge per unit of drink but UK ministers say alcohol law should be controlled by Westminster. |