Whose cider you on?

We have highlighted concerns about white cider before in connection with its impact on homeless people.  At our seminar, Housing Continuing Drinkers on Friday, the issue came up again when St Mungo's services users talked about trying to prevent the off-license next to their hostel from sellling the stuff, saying "it kills people" and is highly addictive. 

Who, apart from alcohol dependent drinkers, buys white cider?  Impoverished students perhaps.  Should it be banned, or is there a legitimate place in the market for it?  Is white cider worse than (stronger) super-strength lagers; if so why?

An article in Health Service Journal on health and homlessness earlier this month quoted community nurse and alcohol worker Jackie Conarty:

"It's 7.5% alcohol and it's never seen an apple in its life. You can buy a two litre flagon for under £2 and that would knock most people out.  It should be banned.  Strong white cider is cheap because it is taxed at a much lower rate than other alcoholic drinks.

The drinks industry cannot justify creating a drink whose sole market is addicts. We did liver toxicity tests on people who drank white ciders and people who drank beers like Tennents Super, which is strong, but is basically malt, water and hops. White ciders are just chemicals. The liver functions were worse in those who drank white ciders."

Anecdotally people often say to us that white cider kills people and that it rots the stomach but where is the evidence?  We would like more information; please send us what you know so we can put the facts to policy makers and the manufacturers of white cider.

Comments

[Andrew]

White Cidre, can be an issue, but raising the tax on the entire Cidre industry will kill off many manufactureres . I will state that most cidre drinkers enjoy it in moderation as many would a glass of wine. White cidre needs to be dealt with but leave the rest of the industry alone.

[matthew armstrong]

I myself have fallen victim to the grip of white cider.
luckily I had the support of my friends and family.
I volunteer for my local community.
want any drains cleared. use that stuff.

[Al]

These ciders are strong and pretty acidic, so they can easily cause acid reflux, which,in my case, led to stomach problems, including a bleeding stomach ulcer which required an emergency operation.

[ian]

i was not a heavy drinker. i started at 19 yrs and by 33yrs i was in hospital with "severe acute pancreatitis" my local off licence manager said it is most likely the white cider as it's full of chemicals, & she would like it banned. Anyone in doubt should google "sap" as above. i wish i had, my life wil never be the same again, although i am somewhat thankfull that i am here to tell the tale.

[Tracey]

Perhaps the focus should be on getting people to drink the cider for enjoyment and reduce the amount they are drinking. As it's current reputation is for homeless people and students, they need to deter from this image and try to campaign for more responsible drinking like the rest of the brands.