Time For Mimimum Unit Alcohol Pricing?

[ToraToraTora]

Just watching dispatches, apparently 50p per unit minimum pricing would save 1000 lives and save £5bn. So what do we think ABers?

[pixie373]

Cheap bottle of wine then. What is the beer equivalent? I'm not sure how much difference it will make in prices?

[ToraToraTora]

it would mainly effect the dirt cheap supermarket booze.

[nailit]

As someone who has had (and still struggle with) a drink problem I think its rubbish. It penalising social/responsible drinkers. Anyone who abuses alcohol will always find the money just as drug addicts do.

[pixie373]

Ah. So a standard can of lager would be,£1. I'd be surprised if it made much difference to drinking habits.

[237SJ]

I confess that I haven`t watched the programme but how does anyone know that charging 50p per unit will save 1000 lives and save £5bn? Is that just a supposition that was invented by the TV company or are there any statistics to support that?

[pixie373]

Nailit, i don't know if it's supposed to discourage alcoholics, perhaps aimed more towards teenagers.

[woofgang]

Just what I was going to say....was the weasel phrase "up to" used?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

The shops and the taxman will be the winners.Education and correction is the way forward.

[Maydup]

I agree with the minimum unit price if for no reason other than to stop the supermarkets using alcohol as a loss leader. Independent pubs and restaurants cannot compete with these unrealisticly low prices and without them, our towns and villages will be dormant with no social or cultural heart.

[ichkeria]

Definitely a good idea. Cheap loss-leading alcohol sales undoubtedly fuel alcohol problems.
You've only got to go to countries where alcohol is dirt cheap to see the damage it does

[ToraToraTora]

237sj, the program said it was a result of extensive statistical research.

[237SJ]

TTT - so what is that statistical research? That could just be a survey of 2000 people.

[nailit]

You are never going to stop problem drinkers no matter what the price is.
Drugs are illegal (irrespective of the price) and they have never stopped addicts.

[ToraToraTora]

they didn't go into all the details but here's a similer report in the Guardian. They are talking about for example 29000 hospital admissions would be saved.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/10/minimum-alcohol-pricing-save-860-lives-study

[Jeza]

I am not in favour of minimum pricing. Those who are responsible drinkers will 'be unfairly penalised. As others have said the binge drinkers/alki's will find the money from somewhere, probably to the detriment of their children.

[douglas9401]

From the Drinkaware website:

'Ask for a small glass of wine. A 125ml glass is around one and a half units of alcohol.'

So, six glasses = nine units = £4.50/bottle. Pretty much what we pay now.

Smoke and mirrors from folk being seen to be 'doing something' about something.
Dispatches ain't what it was either.

[nailit]

Douglas, average can of super strength lager is also 9 units but costs a lot less, about 1.60 a can where I live. Think this might be where the money would go on.

[nailit]

forget last answer, average can of 'super' is 9 percent, not units, doh! (and im sober, god help me when im drunk...)