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Friday, June 8, 2007

Doctors call for higher taxes to deter UK's 7m harmful drinkers



Sarah Boseley, health editor
Wednesday June 6, 2007
The Guardian

The government yesterday launched a strategy to tackle more than 7 million "hazardous and harmful" drinkers in the UK, but was immediately criticised for soft-pedalling by postponing action to deal with cut-price alcohol promotions.

The 10-year strategy, launched jointly by the Home Office and Department of Health, called for a radical shift in British drinking culture and for drinkers, at home as well as in the pub, to take personal responsibility for sensible consumption.

But "happy hours" and other promotional activities of the drinks industry escaped a ban. Instead, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and public health minister Caroline Flint said there would be a review and public consultation to find out whether advertising, promotions and low prices caused people to drink more.

Professor Ian Gilmore, a liver expert and president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "International evidence shows that increasing price and reducing availability are the two main ways of reducing people's drinking, and while we welcome the review of retailing and promotions, this should not be used to delay action in this area."
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