Pressure is mounting on the government to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in England following a report highlighting the alarming death toll caused by cheap drink. Public health leaders are urging urgent action to increase the price of cheap alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences.
Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, emphasized the need for England to follow Scotland and Wales in implementing minimum unit pricing to save lives. He also called for a comprehensive national alcohol strategy to reduce hospital admissions and deaths linked to excessive drinking.
The report by Lord Darzi highlighted the need for bold action, citing a 10.8% annual increase in alcohol-related deaths during the pandemic. The government is reconsidering its stance on minimum unit pricing, with a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public health measures.
Minimum unit pricing has been successful in Scotland, leading to a reduction in deaths attributed to alcohol consumption. Prof Martin McKee and Richard Piper of the Institute of Alcohol Studies and Alcohol Change UK respectively, reiterated the benefits of minimum unit pricing in reducing harm caused by alcohol.
Prof Sir Ian Gilmore of the Alcohol Health Alliance emphasized the urgency of taking action on prices to address the significant number of alcohol-related deaths. A combination of minimum unit pricing and a duty escalator could be an effective strategy to tackle the issue.
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