A range of proposals to tackle Wales' "growing drink problem" have been put forward by doctors' leaders. The British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales wants an increase in taxation on alcoholic drinks, proportionate to the strength of the product.
It also wants to see local schemes rolled out nationwide to outlaw the drinking of alcohol on the streets. The BMA said politicians in Westminster and Cardiff Bay needed to co-operate on a new set of policies. A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said there was no single solution to this "complex issue".
Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of BMA Wales said: "After smoking, alcohol is the next big public health issue."
The BMA's four point plan:
- An end to deep discounting of alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets.
- Research into how pricing mechanisms can be used in Wales to discourage heavy consumption of high alcohol products
- Legislate for alcohol labelling rather than relying on voluntary agreements with the drinks industry
- Reduce the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg and introduce random breath testing in Wales
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