Government responses to Britain’s “shocking” rise in binge drinking and alcoholism have ranged from “the non-existent to the ineffectual”, the health select committee warns.
Supermarkets and the drinks industry have more influence on government alcohol policies than health experts, the scornful report by MPs says.
Minimum prices, combined with restrictions on advertising and sponsorship, could save thousands of lives and billions of pounds a year.
The publication of the long-awaited report has triggered a fresh broadside of condemnation from health professionals frustrated by the failure of the government’s strategy to tackle the escalating problems of drink-related violence and deaths.
The call for minimum pricing - already endorsed by England’s chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, and backed by the Scottish government - does not receive the support of the three Conservative MPs on the health committee.
But the whole committee calls for a sharp rise in taxes on spirits and “industrial white cider”, improved treatment services for alcoholics, a mandatory labelling scheme for drinks, and tougher regulation of alcohol promotion and advertising.
Read more at The Guardian.
Tags: Alcohol
