Minimum price plan to end cheap alcohol sales

[lastlid]

Ministers are proposing a minimum price of 45p a unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales as part of a drive to tackle problem drinking.

"The Home Office has launched a 10-week consultation on the plan, arguing it will help reduce the levels of ill-health and crime related to alcohol.

It is also considering banning multi-buy promotions, such as two-for-the-price-of-one.

The 45p proposal is 5p higher than the figure suggested by ministers in March.

It comes after pressure has been mounting on the government to follow Scotland's lead, where 50p has been proposed.

The aim of a minimum price would be to alter the cost of heavily-discounted drinks sold in shops and supermarkets. It is not expected to affect the price of drinks in many pubs.

The Home Office said the consultation was targeted at "harmful drinkers and irresponsible shops".

A spokesman added: "Those who enjoy a quiet drink or two have nothing to fear from our proposals."

The 45p minimum would mean a can of strong lager could not be sold for less than £1.56 and a bottle of wine below £4.22."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20515918

[Arthur Little]

Hmm ... difficult one! But, if BOTH the UK and Scottish Governments persist in regularly pushing up the price of tobacco products and preventing stockists giving discounts on bulk purchases - "in the interests of *safeguarding peoples' health" (as EACH *purports!) - then surely it'd be hypocritical of them NOT to do likewise with alcohol ... which is ALSO a health hazard - apart from the misery it causes - when indulged in, to excess.

... just my opinion - NO offence intended!

[lastlid]

I understand where you are coming from there, Arthur. I wonder if it will work though? Will it have the desired effect?

[andy222]

My opinion is if they want to do something about it stop selling it in supermarkets and convenience stores. Putting the price up a bit wont make a bit of difference.

[Iani]

Great, so because of the idiots who can't take drink, everyone else who is responsible gets punished.
If they wanted to really do something about the idiots, then certain drinks could be taxed to oblivion.

[lastlid]

Great, so because of the idiots who can't take drink, everyone else who is responsible gets punished.
If they wanted to really do something about the idiots, then certain drinks could be taxed to oblivion.

I believe they are targeting the cheapest drinks only.

[imagine]

maybe they will turn to home brew or meths if its cheaper

[fred]

Great, so because of the idiots who can't take drink, everyone else who is responsible gets punished.
If they wanted to really do something about the idiots, then certain drinks could be taxed to oblivion.

Agreed.. As always they are lying again to raise revenue.

[fred]

I believe they are targeting the cheapest drinks only.

Define cheap?
I thought cheap and the UK no longer equates?

[imagine]

Define cheap?
I thought cheap and the UK no longer equates?

thats cheapest not cheap

[lastlid]

maybe they will turn to home brew or meths if its cheaper

That's something they do in Sweden and Norway is make their own alcohol as it is so expensive otherwise.

[lastlid]

Define cheap?
I thought cheap and the UK no longer equates?

Evidently the idea is that it is at the bottom end of the market that the biggest alcohol related problems stem from, as a rule. Hence the extra levy on those drinks..

[stevewool]

My opinion is if they want to do something about it stop selling it in supermarkets and convenience stores. Putting the price up a bit wont make a bit of difference.

totally agree

[Michael Parnham]

Due to drink and tobacco causing so many health problems, why not a law that self inflicted illness treatment is paid for instead of burdening the NHS finances, any comments?

[andy222]

Due to drink and tobacco causing so many health problems, why not a law that self inflicted illness treatment is paid for instead of burdening the NHS finances, any comments?

Its happened for years gone by. The problem you have now is the governments have created an environment where they want you to stay at home. I remember the days when you went to the pub to have a drink and socialise. Like everything else you have to blame the decisions of the governments.

[Iani]

It isn't necessarily the cheapest drinks though which are bought by the idiots.

Top of my head - say Asda's common 3 for £10 wine offers. They don't sit in town centres drinking Chardonnay!

Louts drink such as Stella, this is quite expensive.

One of the cheapest beers going (Ignoring Tesco Value Lager, which is basically pee put through a soda stream) can be found in Aldi. It comes in small squat bottles, and it's French lager. It costs just over £3 for 12 bottles and is for the price very good. Lidl do a similar German one, which is even better.
This is never drunk by idiots sat in parks causing a disturbance.

I'd still stick by the idea of targetting certain drinks, though the makers of Stella might feel victimised

[Pete/London]

I cant see how tinkering with prices will have any effect.
They should go back to licensing laws in force when I was a teenager, lunchtime and evening and shutting at 10.30 or 11pm.
All the nonsense about people were getting drunk because they were rushing their drinking during the opening hours has been proved to be untrue. Boundaries are needed and should be enforced as there doesn`t seem to be much pride left.

[andy222]

I cant see how tinkering with prices will have any effect.
They should go back to licensing laws in force when I was a teenager, lunchtime and evening and shutting at 10.30 or 11pm.
All the nonsense about people were getting drunk because they were rushing their drinking during the opening hours has been proved to be untrue. Boundaries are needed and should be enforced as there doesn`t seem to be much pride left.

. Thats another thing the government up on 24 hour dinking? They are crazy.

[Dedworth]

My opinion is if they want to do something about it stop selling it in supermarkets and convenience stores. Putting the price up a bit wont make a bit of difference.

I'd still let the supermarkets flog it but licences should be revoked and restricted on the convenience stores - that is where the yobs and anti social scrotes buy their booze - besides which many of them are Muslim run and shouldn't be selling it.

[Dedworth]

. Thats another thing the government up on 24 hour dinking? They are crazy.

ahem - it was the Blair/Brown regime that introduced 24 hour boozing coupled with lenient treatment of scumbags

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-U-turn.html

[lastlid]

ahem - it was the Blair/Brown regime that introduced 24 hour boozing coupled with lenient treatment of scumbags

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-U-turn.html

Hang em Flog em....

[Dedworth]

Hang em Flog em....

Absolutely along with Blair & Brown

[andy222]

Maybe but it needs changing.

[Iani]

The problem was, Blair went over to the continent, and saw civilised people sat out on warm pavements, drinking a beer or sipping Merlot, and reading the newspapers, whilst street entertainers juggled, the odd busker played the accordion, and families shopped.
He came back and thought if we did that, then it would turn Walsall into Barcelona, instead of people puking in the gutter and picking fights, the Brits would instantly be flocking to art galleries and buy croissants.

He just didn't "get it" that we're talking about cultural issues. Also that successive parties policies of allowing a sub culture of workshy drunk spongers whose only contribution is to the crime rate and birth rate to flourish doesn't help cities.

[lastlid]

The problem was, Blair went over to the continent, and saw civilised people sat out on warm pavements, drinking a beer or sipping Merlot, and reading the newspapers, whilst street entertainers juggled, the odd busker played the accordion, and families shopped.

[mickcant]

My opinion is if they want to do something about it stop selling it in supermarkets and convenience stores. Putting the price up a bit wont make a bit of difference.

I agree, if people want to drink they will buy their booze, their kids might then suffer if there is less money left for food
Mick.

[bigmarco]

I agree with a return to the old licensing laws. There's 24hr access to drink with these convenience stores now.
They should also tighten the laws up. If their caught selling drink outside the permitted hours then take the licence away.
My other beef is the toe rags drinking on the streets and public transport. Should be banned and restricted to licence premises and your own home.

[les_taxi]

How about vouchers only 2 per pisshead can be exchanged within 24 hours
You go to counter buy your two vouchers which can only be redeemed in that store and would regulate what you can buy-you could not buy alcohol with cash anywhere

[Terpe]

The problem was, Blair went over to the continent, and saw civilised people sat out on warm pavements, drinking a beer or sipping Merlot, and reading the newspapers, whilst street entertainers juggled, the odd busker played the accordion, and families shopped.
He came back and thought if we did that, then it would turn Walsall into Barcelona, instead of people puking in the gutter and picking fights, the Brits would instantly be flocking to art galleries and buy croissants.

He just didn't "get it" that we're talking about cultural issues. Also that successive parties policies of allowing a sub culture of workshy drunk spongers whose only contribution is to the crime rate and birth rate to flourish doesn't help cities.

There's a lot of truth in this.

Behaviours whilst under the influence of alcohol are much more deeply seated in cultural issues than chemical reactions.

Brits globally have problems with alcohol and behaviour.

IHMO the solution is educationally based not economically based.

Pricing policies will never work

[grahamw48]

I cant see how tinkering with prices will have any effect.
They should go back to licensing laws in force when I was a teenager, lunchtime and evening and shutting at 10.30 or 11pm.
All the nonsense about people were getting drunk because they were rushing their drinking during the opening hours has been proved to be untrue. Boundaries are needed and should be enforced as there doesn`t seem to be much pride left.

I agree.

Also start educating young women in the need for self-respect.