The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Sir Liam Donaldson, is shortly to publish his annual report, which this year will advise that England adopts minimum pricing measures to address the health impact of alcohol misuse. It is expected that the CMO report will call for a 50 pence per unit minimum price, which according to research would reduce consumption of alcohol and alcohol-related health harm, currently costing the NHS around £2.7 billion per year.
The government last year commissioned a review from the University of Sheffield into the effect of price on consumption. The findings showed that, based on a number of international studies, price was an effective lever on consumption and alcohol-related harm. Despite the findings, the government did not opt for pricing controls when it announced a mandatory code for licensed premises. The code - the terms of which are yet to be set - will ban irresponsible promotions such as happy hours and 'buy one get one free', though will not stop supermarkets using alcohol as a 'loss leader'.
The CMO's call comes shortly after Scotland announced that it would introduce a minimum price of 40 pence per unit alongside a range of other measures including raising the age of off-licences sales to 21 in some areas. The BBC announced the news, reporting that the measures would mean a bottle of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.
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Can anyone advise if duty will be increased to impose the minimum price of 50p per unit, or will the way duty is costed be changed - eg by units rather than the current ltrs of alcohol - which in spirits is currently £22.20. Thanks
Posted by: Paul hinks | Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:37 PM
As I understand the expected increases in duty are not linked to a 50p per unit system. Tax duties are different for the various categories of alcohol but the idea of a minimum price would be to ensure that alcohol is not available so cheaply whatever category.
Posted by: james morris | Monday, March 23, 2009 at 10:43 AM