Health bosses in Lancashire are urging local people to back a call to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol
Public Health Blackpool is campaigning for a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol and is appealing for people to join in the debate and consider the question "How much does alcohol really cost you?''
A new website is being launched on Boxing Day where people can find out more about minimum pricing, the argument for its introduction, who it affects and what impact it will have on alcohol prices. Radio advertising will also reinforce the campaign across Lancashire.
From the site you can also join the debate, sign a petition and learn how to get involved yourself, locally, nationally and online. The website can be found at www.minimumpricing.info .
With alcohol available in some outlets in Blackpool as cheap as 12p a unit Steve Morton, Alcohol Harm Reduction Policy Advisor at NHS Blackpool, says the time is right to introduce a minimum price for alcohol as the link between price, consumption and harm that can no longer be ignored.
Blackpool has amongst the highest alcohol harm figures in England with over 4,500 alcohol related hospital admissions each year, this has resulted in pioneering services and campaigns.
However, despite the best efforts of all involved there is a need for big change to change culture and attitudes to help Blackpool. For this reason NHS Blackpool are joining other pioneers to campaign for a minimum unit price for alcohol.
He said: Despite this intervention we have a tiny budget compared to that of the alcohol producers and have consequently not reduced consumption amongst those drinking.
"Indeed, although we have less drinkers in the north west, those who do drink, are consuming more alcohol than at any time in the last 100 years.
"We have learnt how to treat the symptoms effectively and to police the night time economy better, but we have not addressed the fundamental issue of increasing consumption. This has resulted in a spiralling increase in alcohol related hospital admissions, with a doubling over 10 years.
“We need more effective solutions. Evidence suggests introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol would make alcohol less affordable, thus reducing consumption and in turn the associated harm
"We firmly believe that steps need to be taken to pursue a minimum price of 50p per unit as an integral part of a range of measures to tackle our rising alcohol problem.
"We know that politicians will be concerned about public opinion and the impact on people’s pockets. However, they should also note that the public are very much aware of the effect of pocket money prices on consumption.’’
Recent Home Office Research showed that two-thirds of the public believe the amount of alcohol people drink in Britain is out of control. The research also showed that 93% of heavier drinkers under the age of 35 say they have witnessed alcohol-related crime and disorder in the past 12 months.
He added: "In terms of cost to a moderate drinker, the impact of 50p per unit would be minimal. Prices in licensed premises would not be affected as the minimum price of a pint of lager for example would be £1.50. For the take home market a 750ml bottle of wine (12%) would cost approximately £4.50 and six 500ml cans of lager (4%) would cost roughly £6.
"Commonly supermarket brand cider is sold for under £1 per litre. With the introduction of 50p minimum unit price a litre bottle of cider (5.5%) could not be sold for less than £6.''
Surveys in the North West have found that up to 45% of the public polled would support a minimum unit price for alcohol, including in one survey 48% of young people.
The support base for minimum unit price has also increased from earlier surveys. Recently, a flash poll was conducted by the UK’s leading discount website and the results showed that two thirds of Britons support the proposed plans for minimum pricing on alcohol; with the majority hoping that the plans will help tackle binge drinking. 94.4% of publicans indicate that supermarket price promotions have adversely affected their trade and 90.7% of them would support a minimum unit price.
* Minimum Pricing is the setting of a minimum price for alcohol based on strength.
A minimum price which is legally enforced and prevents retailers from selling alcohol at less than the set price per unit of alcohol. We are proposing a minimum price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol. A minimum price per unit of alcohol has the largest affect on the cheapest and strongest drinks which is why it has attracted a wide range of support from health campaigners.
On top of the anti social behaviour and policing costs, alcohol costs the NHS up to £55bn a year.
Minimum pricing has been shown to be the most effective method to reduce alcohol consumption amongst young people and those who drink most (dependants) hence reducing costs to the NHS.
The impact would be most visible in shops and supermarkets as that is where the discount selling is most widespread.
Raising the price of alcohol would have health benefits for all drinkers, not just the heaviest. A minimum cost of 50p per unit of alcohol would save up to 50,000 people from illness in a decade.
Most of the harm reduction would be for people with chronic ill health, especially cardiovascular disease. A 50p limit would slash rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease as well as liver damage, a range of cancers and the more commonly thought of drunk admissions. Calculations show a 50p limit would mean 2,900 fewer premature deaths a year as well as 41,000 fewer cases of chronic illness.
And campaingers says it’s not just the impact on health that matters since cheap alcohol and excessive drinking puts a big strain on our other emergency services by increasing violent crime, domestic abuse, and criminal damages.
A minimum price for alcohol will reduce this crime and free up the police for other work.
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