Alcohol Health Alliance: Increases will reduce deaths
Thursday, 13 Mar 2008 11:35
Reducing the affordability of alcohol will reduce deaths related to excessive drinking, according to Professor Ian Gilmore.
Professor Gilmore, who is president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance, said that as such he welcomes the chancellor's decision to increase tax on alcohol.
Alistair Darling announced in his first Budget that beer will rise by 4p a pint, cider by 3p a litre, wine by 14p a bottle and spirits by 55p a bottle.
"The international evidence suggests that even moderate taxation rises will reduce alcohol-related deaths and this move, although modest, shows that the government finally recognises the importance of taxation in reducing alcohol-related harm in the UK," Professor Gilmore said.
"Alcohol is now 65 per cent more affordable than it was in 1980, and we need to reverse this trend."
He added that other public policy measures are needed to reduce the availability of alcohol and to place limits on advertising and promotion.
"The impact of an increase in duty on alcohol will be effective only if combined with strong government action to prevent irresponsible discounting and promotions by the retail industry," Professor Gilmore explained. "We call on the government to tackle this."
