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Minimum alcohol price in UK 'would save lives' Minimum alcohol price in UK 'would save lives'
(about 3 hours later)
 
A minimum price for alcohol in the UK would help save many thousands of lives, medical experts and academics have said.A minimum price for alcohol in the UK would help save many thousands of lives, medical experts and academics have said.
They say current policies do not go far enough and want to see an end to what is described as "pocket money prices".They say current policies do not go far enough and want to see an end to what is described as "pocket money prices".
They regard Scottish plans for minimum pricing as a "simple and effective" way to tackle health and social problems - but say tax is another option.They regard Scottish plans for minimum pricing as a "simple and effective" way to tackle health and social problems - but say tax is another option.
Their call comes before MPs debate alcohol taxation on Wednesday.Their call comes before MPs debate alcohol taxation on Wednesday.
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they say alcohol is linked to 13,000 new cases of cancer each year and associated with one in four deaths of people in the 15-to-24 age group.In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they say alcohol is linked to 13,000 new cases of cancer each year and associated with one in four deaths of people in the 15-to-24 age group.
It has been signed by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing among others.It has been signed by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing among others.
The letter says: "We need to narrow the price gap between alcohol bought in bars and restaurants with alcohol bought in supermarkets and off-licences, to make bulk discounts and pocket-money prices a thing of the past."The letter says: "We need to narrow the price gap between alcohol bought in bars and restaurants with alcohol bought in supermarkets and off-licences, to make bulk discounts and pocket-money prices a thing of the past."
"We urgently need to raise the price of cheap drink," it states because of a "wealth of evidence" linking the cost of alcohol and levels of harm."We urgently need to raise the price of cheap drink," it states because of a "wealth of evidence" linking the cost of alcohol and levels of harm.
If the coalition is not ready for the "bold action" of minimum pricing, it says MPs must not "lose sight" of taxation as a tool to lower drinking levels.If the coalition is not ready for the "bold action" of minimum pricing, it says MPs must not "lose sight" of taxation as a tool to lower drinking levels.
Last August David Cameron called for a crackdown on stores selling cheap drinks to stop alcohol-fuelled disorder leaving town and city centres like "the wild west".Last August David Cameron called for a crackdown on stores selling cheap drinks to stop alcohol-fuelled disorder leaving town and city centres like "the wild west".
The coalition has introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol for less than cost price, which will come into force in England and Wales in April 2012.The coalition has introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol for less than cost price, which will come into force in England and Wales in April 2012.
In November, the Scottish government made a second bid to bring in legislation which will set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. It has already put in place a ban on "irresponsible" drinks promotions.In November, the Scottish government made a second bid to bring in legislation which will set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. It has already put in place a ban on "irresponsible" drinks promotions.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, special adviser to the Royal College of Physicians, said nearly 10,000 lives a year could be saved by a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit.Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, special adviser to the Royal College of Physicians, said nearly 10,000 lives a year could be saved by a minimum price of 50p per alcohol unit.
He told the Telegraph that the government had acknowledged the importance of price by introducing a ban on selling alcohol below cost, but said this did not go "far enough".He told the Telegraph that the government had acknowledged the importance of price by introducing a ban on selling alcohol below cost, but said this did not go "far enough".
"We're talking about saving lives here."We're talking about saving lives here.
"It's not just about damage to individuals who drink too much but their children and unborn babies and the victims of alcohol-related crime. The most effective way of targeting the heaviest drinkers is probably through a minimum unit price.""It's not just about damage to individuals who drink too much but their children and unborn babies and the victims of alcohol-related crime. The most effective way of targeting the heaviest drinkers is probably through a minimum unit price."
Opponents of a minimum unit price say it is unfair because it penalises all drinkers, not just those who cause or have problems.Opponents of a minimum unit price say it is unfair because it penalises all drinkers, not just those who cause or have problems.
In October, Anne Milton, public health minister for England, told MPs that a minimum price per unit could be open to legal challenges relating to European competition law.In October, Anne Milton, public health minister for England, told MPs that a minimum price per unit could be open to legal challenges relating to European competition law.