Our Life backs new government alcohol plans

Our Life Campaign

North West wellbeing and health campaign Our Life has welcomed the pledge by the new coalition government to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price.

This is being done in an effort to cut binge drinking and also the new government plans to review alcohol taxation and pricing, and strengthen licensing powers.

The government unveiled the plans, which could ban retailers from running loss leader promotions on lager, wine and alcopops, when it announced its detailed policy programme in Westminster on Thursday 20 May.

Our Life chief executive Dr Alison Giles said: “We welcome this recognition that it is too easy to get very drunk quickly and cheaply and we are pleased to see the clear commitment to addressing loss leader deals by the supermarkets.

“We also hope that the government’s stated commitment to giving local people more say in matters affecting them will extend to the government acting on people's wishes to see much more done to tackle alcohol harm.”

Turning to the coalition’s plans to review alcohol taxation, Dr Giles said: “Any price increases need to be carefully targeted to ensure that they go far enough to stem the rising tide of public order and health harms caused by the availability of cheap alcohol.

“We need a pricing and taxation regime that encourages lower ABV production and consumption.

“The majority of special offer deals are on standard strength lagers and ciders which are widely sold by supermarkets at pocket-money prices. We hope that the government will consult with health professionals as it undertakes its review of taxation and pricing.”

While welcoming the latest announcements, Dr Giles said that it was important to keep up the pressure on the government to tackle alcohol harm.

She said: “Our Life will continue to campaign for effective action to tackle low price and promotions by alcohol retailers and push for a meaningful review of the Licensing Act to include a public health objective and a stronger voice for local communities.”

“We will also continue to present strong evidence and public support to make the case for these measures,” she said.