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| MPs demanding alcohol clampdown | MPs demanding alcohol clampdown |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| MPs have called for a fundamental overhaul of government policy to curb excessive drinking. | MPs have called for a fundamental overhaul of government policy to curb excessive drinking. |
| A minimum price per unit of alcohol to curb excessive drinking in England, could save over 3,000 lives a year, the Health Select Committee said. | |
| Its scathing report accused ministers of paying more attention to the drinks industry's views than health experts. | Its scathing report accused ministers of paying more attention to the drinks industry's views than health experts. |
| It is estimated alcohol abuse in England and Wales kills 40,000 people and costs the economy £55bn every year. | It is estimated alcohol abuse in England and Wales kills 40,000 people and costs the economy £55bn every year. |
| The report also called for a rise in duty on spirits and white cider, mandatory health warnings on labels, and stricter regulation of alcohol advertising and promotion. | The report also called for a rise in duty on spirits and white cider, mandatory health warnings on labels, and stricter regulation of alcohol advertising and promotion. |
| Even small reductions in the number of people misusing alcohol could save the NHS millions Kevin Barron, MP NHS alcohol services 'struggling' Send us your comments | Even small reductions in the number of people misusing alcohol could save the NHS millions Kevin Barron, MP NHS alcohol services 'struggling' Send us your comments |
| Minimum pricing has already proved a controversial measure, having been endorsed both by the Scottish Executive and the Chief Medical Officer for England, but rejected by the prime minister and the Conservative Party. | Minimum pricing has already proved a controversial measure, having been endorsed both by the Scottish Executive and the Chief Medical Officer for England, but rejected by the prime minister and the Conservative Party. |
| Critics say it would penalise moderate drinkers, but the Health Select Committee rejected that as a myth. | Critics say it would penalise moderate drinkers, but the Health Select Committee rejected that as a myth. |
| It said minimum pricing would only cost a moderate drinker a few pence a week, and would target those who drink very cheap alcohol. | It said minimum pricing would only cost a moderate drinker a few pence a week, and would target those who drink very cheap alcohol. |
| Industry's dependency | Industry's dependency |
| The report said the drinks industry depends on people who drink hazardous or harmful amounts for three-quarters of its sales. | The report said the drinks industry depends on people who drink hazardous or harmful amounts for three-quarters of its sales. |
| And if everyone stuck to their safe drinking limits, it said alcohol sales in the UK would fall by 40%. | And if everyone stuck to their safe drinking limits, it said alcohol sales in the UK would fall by 40%. |
| The MPs were critical of attempts to reduce the harm from alcohol through education campaigns. | The MPs were critical of attempts to reduce the harm from alcohol through education campaigns. |
| They said these were ineffective at changing behaviour, and pointed out that drinks industry promotions cost many times what the government spends on encouraging responsible drinking. | They said these were ineffective at changing behaviour, and pointed out that drinks industry promotions cost many times what the government spends on encouraging responsible drinking. |
| The report also criticised the response from government, saying it "ranged from the non-existent to the ineffectual." | The report also criticised the response from government, saying it "ranged from the non-existent to the ineffectual." |
| "The facts about alcohol abuse are shocking," said committee chair, Labour MP Kevin Barron. | "The facts about alcohol abuse are shocking," said committee chair, Labour MP Kevin Barron. |
| "Even small reductions in the number of people misusing alcohol could save the NHS millions. | "Even small reductions in the number of people misusing alcohol could save the NHS millions. |
| "What is required is fundamental culture change." | "What is required is fundamental culture change." |
| 'Dithering' | 'Dithering' |
| Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said the government was already working to reduce alcohol harm, but change would not happen overnight. | Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said the government was already working to reduce alcohol harm, but change would not happen overnight. |
| The British Medical Association welcomed the report and agreed that the drinks industry and supermarkets exerted too much power over government alcohol policies. | The British Medical Association welcomed the report and agreed that the drinks industry and supermarkets exerted too much power over government alcohol policies. |
| We can influence the irresponsible minority through better education and effective law enforcement Seymour FortescuePortman Group | We can influence the irresponsible minority through better education and effective law enforcement Seymour FortescuePortman Group |
| "This cosy relationship needs to end, and we need radical action to tackle alcohol misuse," said their ethics head, Dr Vivienne Nathanson. | "This cosy relationship needs to end, and we need radical action to tackle alcohol misuse," said their ethics head, Dr Vivienne Nathanson. |
| Alison Rogers, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: "This is a damning indictment of the way successive governments have tackled alcohol health harm, with action ranging from the non-existent to the ineffectual." | Alison Rogers, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: "This is a damning indictment of the way successive governments have tackled alcohol health harm, with action ranging from the non-existent to the ineffectual." |
| Don Shenkar, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said it beggars belief that the government was still "dithering". | Don Shenkar, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said it beggars belief that the government was still "dithering". |
| "If they don't act on these recommendations now, they'll lose all credibility in their stated attempts to change British drinking culture." | "If they don't act on these recommendations now, they'll lose all credibility in their stated attempts to change British drinking culture." |
| But the Portman Group, which represents the drinks industry, said minimum pricing would affect responsible drinkers, and should be targeted at the minority who abuse alcohol. | But the Portman Group, which represents the drinks industry, said minimum pricing would affect responsible drinkers, and should be targeted at the minority who abuse alcohol. |
| "We can influence the irresponsible minority through better education and effective law enforcement," said chairman, Seymour Fortescue. | "We can influence the irresponsible minority through better education and effective law enforcement," said chairman, Seymour Fortescue. |
| Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you think there should be a minimum price for alcohol? Send us your comments. | Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you think there should be a minimum price for alcohol? Send us your comments. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |