The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has spoken firmly against minimum pricing as he prepares to deliver a new national alcohol strategy early next year. Speaking for a feature in the Independent on Sunday, Lansley said there were "big problems" with minimum pricing, backing arguments commonly cited by minimum pricing critics and sections of the alcohol industry.
Top doctors and academics had recently written to the Daily Telegraph calling for minimum pricing as sought in Scotland, claiming a 50p minimum price per unit of alcohol could save nearly 10,000 lives a year. In response, David Cameron said he had "no doubt" that very low cost alcohol is part of the problem. However Coalition policy has set out taxation and 'below cost ban' approaches, but calls for minimum pricing remain because neither are expected to significantly affect the cheapest prices at point of sale.
The Health Secretary however stands opposed to minimum pricing, believing it will would fall foul of EU law - a debate raging in Scotland. Whilst Lansley conceded that higher prices can reduce consumption, he said minimum pricing would penalise the poor and hit responsible drinkers - a claim often made by opponents but disputed by academics who say it will target heavy drinkers most, not the poorest.
Lansley told The Independent on Sunday: "Are we really saying that because a bottle of vodka isn't £8 but £12.50 they are not going to preload with a bottle of vodka for a night out when they are in clubs where they pay £5 for a drink?". Supporters of minimum pricing tend to cite misunderstandings about the effects of the policy; that it is not about affecting significant changes in individuals, but about achieving a smaller change in a larger group, akin to the well known public health prevention paradox.
Lansley however also highlighted findings from the IFS which suggest minimum pricing would transfer larger revenues to drinks firms and retailers. The IFS suggest EU law should be changed to allow a taxation restructuring to achieve a minimum price effect. Lansley though highlighted that pricing alone was itself going to solve all the problems on its own.
Early next year a new national alcohol strategy will be released. It is expected to include a further emphasis on measures such as Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) supported by industry or retailers. Alcohol messages will also be mainstreamed into wider Change for Life campaigns and more may be announced through the controversial Responsibility Deal. Investment in treatment and prevention approaches will also be closely watched within the changing context of NHS reform and public health transitions.
Recent Comments