The availability of cheap alcohol has been a key contributing factor in the development of this country’s binge-drinking culture, according to the UK Home Office.
The government has stated that it will no longer tolerate the sale of heavily discounted alcohol which leads to irresponsible behaviour and unacceptable levels of crime and health harms.
Alcohol has been so heavily discounted that it is now possible to buy a can of lager for as little as 20p and a two litre bottle of cider for £1.69.
It is proposed that minimum unit pricing will tackle the issue of excessive alcohol consumption and heavily discounted alcohol sold in supermarkets and off-licences. This approach aims to reduce alcohol consumption and curb practices such as ‘pre-loading’ before a night out.
Split opinion
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is asking why the UK Government is pressing ahead with its plans for minimum unit pricing, as a new report questions the credibility of the modelling used to support the policy.
A report published by the Adam Smith Institute argues that ‘the (Sheffield) model is based on unreasonable assumptions which render its figures meaningless’ and concludes that ‘the predictions based on the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model are entirely speculative and do not deserve the exalted status they have been afforded in the policy debate.’
WSTA chief executive, Miles Beale said: “On top of opposition from Cabinet, Europe, consumers and a legal challenge in Scotland, this latest research from the Adam Smith institute identifies fatal flaws in the modelling used to support minimum unit pricing.
“Given the significant questions being raised about the evidence base for minimum unit pricing, and increasingly broad opposition, the Government should think again before pressing ahead with this ill-thought through policy.”
Source: WSTA/Home Office
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024