PM may follow Scottish lead on alcohol pricing

Published on Thursday 16 February 2012 00:26

THE UK government edged closer to following Scotland’s example of minimum pricing for alcohol yesterday when David Cameron spoke of the destruction caused by drink.

The Prime Minister pledged to tackle the growing “scandal” of alcohol-fuelled disorder when he met doctors, nurses, paramedics and police at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to highlight the cost of alcohol to the NHS.

Mr Cameron said: “The facts are pretty stark. Alcohol costs the NHS almost £3 billion a year; a cost of £90 to every taxpayer.

“This has a huge impact on the NHS and a huge impact on accident and emergency, which every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night is overrun by people who are drunk and incapable. We need to do more to tackle this problem.

“We are going to look at the issue of alcohol pricing. I’m quite convinced there is deep discounting of alcohol in supermarkets and convenience stores and that it is causing part of the problem.

“We need to take action right across the board. I want to make sure local councils have the power to close down bars that are causing a problem and that police can step in if they need to because it is against the law to sell to people who are drunk or underage.

“We also need to look at the issue of pricing. This is a national problem.”

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Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:15 AM

Maggie Thatcher and John Major wouldn't have entertained this ludicrous idea. Of course, now the Tories are following Bliar's example.

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12

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:13 AM

What they've actually done is to re-define alcohol abuse to mean drinking more than their stupid "guidelines". This means that they can now define "alcohol abuse" as a "problem"...................When are we ever going to be rid of politicians who were bullied at school and now want to get their own back on everyone?

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11

antiparasite

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 08:11 PM

1.... You are a daft wee junkie.... Alcohol is the worst drug of the lot.....

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10

Kobi

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:55 PM

#9 Don't worry. Sturgeon said "The EU has approved our minimum pricing plans" when what she meant to say was "The EU have NOT approved our minimum pricing plans". Happens to everyone.

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9

Charles11

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:34 PM

#8. Should read so why are they NOT blaming them for the smoking ban

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8

Charles11

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:27 AM

The Tory Government blame the previous Labour Government for everything else, so why are they blaming them for the smoking ban which has led to people drinking more cheap drink at thome?

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7

Kobi

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:23 AM

#5 As opposed to the SNP pavlovs who immediately agree with everything the SNP say or do, and whose support for minimum pricing (which most of them in fact don't really understand) is based solely on because Salmond and his sycophants told them to support it.

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6

Kobi

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Probably unlawful, just like the SNP's definitely unlawful proposals.

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5

Bruceboy

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Oh dear Charles wonder how the unionist parties will explain why it's a good idea if Cameron thinks so. Your opposition is based on the same premise as theirs was; SNP idea, must be wrong. No Charles! Your wrong

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4

Buford Van Stomm

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:48 AM

oooh good a new tax on the stupid.....they love a tax they say is good for us.

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3

douglas-home rule

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:06 AM

Charles, everyone who drinks to excess is not an alcoholic. The policy is an attempt to curb dangerous levels of drinking, especially by the young. Ludicrously cheap prices for strong alcohol does exacerbate a problem that already exists and may always exist, though it behoves us to do what we can to reduce the ability if people to damage themselves merely to enrich huge alcohol companies.

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2

Bradged

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 08:48 AM

Charles, aren't you confusing alcoholics with people who merely drink too much. You may well be right that minimum pricing would have little effect on people who are addicted, but the normal price and demand relationship which has been well known for a century or two would suggest there would be an impact on people who are not addicted. Unless you think the only problem in Scotland is that we have some alcoholics?

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Charles Linskaill

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:12 AM

"THE UK government edged closer to following Scotland’s example of minimum pricing for alcohol", And what a terrible mistake this would be, Following the deluded fools who think minimum pricing will solve alcohol abuse, Because the ones who do abuse alcohol will always do-so no matter it's price, Same as Drugs, Drug Users always have their fix, no matter the price it costs them from the drug barons

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