The Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) annual report, published this week, calls for minimum pricing to be introduced in the chapter 'Passive drinking: the collateral damage from alcohol'. The report highlights the impact of other people's drinking, which he terms 'passive drinking', such as children born with alcohol-related birth defects and those affected by alcohol related violence. The report also suggests that alcohol is 'deeply ingrained' within our society, and that introducing a minimum price of 50 pence per unit would have significant health benefits and would only really impact heavier rather than low risk drinkers. The document recommends that:
- There should be a national consensus, prompted by government, that as a country we should substantially reduce alcohol consumption
- Passive drinking should be acknowledged as a key issue. It should present a consolidated rationale for action and be the basis of a national campaign
- The total impact of passive drinking should be calculated by means of a national study including a full economic analysis
- Licensing laws should reflect the full impact of passive drinking, making public health considerations central to licensing
- As an immediate priority, the government should introduce minimum pricing per unit as a means of reducing the consumption of alcohol and its associated problems. Consideration should be given to setting the minimum price per unit at 50 pence
Significant media attention has arisen over the minimum pricing debate:
- 'Doctors back Donaldson over price rise' The Guardian
-'Supermarket chief says no to minimum pricing' The Publican
-'Concussing
yourself with cheap cider does not veto your right to fairness' The Guardian
-'Time to crack down on the price of alcohol' The Times
-'Gordon Brown rejects call to set minimum pricing' The Guardian
The NHS has also released a FAQ webpage explaining the outline of minimum pricing concepts. For a summary on Scotland's minimum pricing plans see here.
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