The Government is facing fresh calls to introduce a minimum alcohol price across the UK, following moves in Scotland and Wales.
On Monday, the Welsh Government announced plans for a minimum unit price of alcohol to tackle the harmful effects of cheap booze on communities.
It was following the lead of the Scottish Government, which approved a similar law in 2012, but has been tied up in a legal challenge.
‘Alcohol misuse’
In a letter to The Guardian, 50 signatories, including MPs and health chiefs, said Westminster must follow suit.
The letter states that: “Minimum unit pricing is a highly effective tool to reduce the number of deaths related to alcohol, crime and workplace absence.”
It adds: “With alcohol misuse costing £21bn-£52bn per year, the UK Government must now follow Wales and Scotland by implementing a policy that will save lives, relieve pressure on our NHS and fulfil its commitment to even out life chances.”
The letter, signed by representatives of the BMA, Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Liver Trust, adds that it is unacceptable that three litres of cider – which contains as much alcohol as 22 shots of vodka – can be bought for less than four pounds.
Legal case
In November 2016, the Scottish Government’s plan to introduce minimum alcohol pricing was given the go-ahead by the country’s highest court.
The change, approved in the Inner House of the Court of Session, would enforce a minimum price per unit of alcohol of 50 pence.
An appeal by the Scottish Whisky Association was heard in the UK Supreme Court earlier this year. Judges are yet to make a ruling.
Rethink needed
At the time, Peter Rice, Chairman of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, welcomed the ruling and called for further action to restrict the sale of alcohol.
He said: “Alcohol is not a normal product to be sold in supermarkets like bread. We really need to rethink the whole way alcohol is sold”.