Coalition to set minimum alcohol price

[MovedGoalPosts]

I'm not convinced.

There are potential health benefits if alchohol consumption is reduced. Recent reports say incidence of liver desease is increasing dramatically as well as other risks. This is perhaps the similar argument to smoking. Realistically if either alchohol or tabacco had been "discovered" today, rather than centuries ago, would they be legal in any form? Home consumption is ever increasing and whereas for many a take out bottle was possibly a treat for many we might have reached a stage where it is just a normal part of their lifestyle.

There is also the anti social behaviour issue. But is it cheap booze, or simply ease of access to it, combined with a lack of peer pressure for moral responsibility and restraint? The reality is that for many, drinking large quantities is seen as evidence of a good night out, and unless that perception is changed then excess consumption will continue unless pricing is prohibitive. I suspect that can only come from dealing with offenders in a harsher manner.

But if alchohol is priced too high, we know the black market will increase. The Channel Ferry companies will be rubbing their hands with glee at the return of the booze cruise punter.

We do also know that times are tough. Most people are responsible, and take advantage of the cheaper supermarket deals to buy in bulk for consumption over a period of time. Given the general lack of feelgood factor is restricting on one of the few ways seen by a majority as many to relax and enjoy themselves a good idea, simply to deal with a minority?

[broadbandking]

I am still undecided, I rarely drink at home and at the pub but around Xmas time I like to get a 2-3 crates to enjoy over the holiday (not all for me) but its going to be annoying if I can't buy a multi buy deal for my beers its only carlsberg lol.

[Pierre]

The exchequer should get the money.

If we're going to pay over the odds I'd rather it went to the country's balance book and not the retailer/wholesaler

Originally Posted by Angua

If it is set at 40p per unit it will only really affect cheap cider & suchlike..

Which maybe will affect those at the bottom of the income scale who may like a cheap drink at the weekend .

[watzizname]

Given that the government seems to think everyone requires their help on this issue and because it really isn't just another way of generating cash for the exchequer, why not green light the ID Card instead?

The fact of the matter is that the only people in society this price rise solution will affect, are those with less disposable income.

If we're all to be targeted by their concern on this issue, having a card containing information that's required at the point of sale would target everyone equally, and be far more effective than this nonsense.

The card could contain information relating to whether you've been convicted of alcohol related crimes (The courts could black list your ability to purchase from legal sources) or are on an alcohol rehabilitation type program.

Obviously the card can be circumvented by those willing to do so (but then, so can the proposed measures) but it would at least be targeting all binge drinkers, not just the poorer ones.

By the way.. I rarely drink alcohol, so whatever happens, it won't be hurting my pocket

[chris9991]

I wonder if the minimum price will be index linked or whether any increase will be set on a whim by the government. I imagine it could have a small inflationary effect, which might be useful too.

Apparently the plan is supposed to encourage people to go to pubs but I can't see that effect being strong.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by broadbandking

I am still undecided, I rarely drink at home and at the pub but around Xmas time I like to get a 2-3 crates to enjoy over the holiday (not all for me) but its going to be annoying if I can't buy a multi buy deal for my beers its only carlsberg lol.

Try living in Scotland where multi buy on drinks is already banned!

I voted no because i do not see how this will stop binge drinkers and to be honest a lot of the problem isn't just the alchohol .Taking drugs even the new type of legal highs have a very adverse effect on people when taken with only a small amount of alchohol so the idiots that this is designed to stop don't actually have to have a lot of alchohol to go nuts in town centers

[Chrysalis]

increase in shoplifting then.

Originally Posted by Stephen

Try living in Scotland where multi buy on drinks is already banned!

Have you been in Asda lately? All the wines that used to be 3 for a tenner are now just £3.33 each.

[mertle]

Originally Posted by martyh

I voted no because i do not see how this will stop binge drinkers and to be honest a lot of the problem isn't just the alchohol .Taking drugs even the new type of legal highs have a very adverse effect on people when taken with only a small amount of alchohol so the idiots that this is designed to stop don't actually have to have a lot of alchohol to go nuts in town centers

agreed every so often society has menace it will I think faize out itself in time. Kids change habits as it gets boring/not cool.

I see only way educate at school hard hitting facts if we like pics to shock what happens. Get in there heads at younger age might mean we save the future nations.

Originally Posted by mertle

agreed every so often society has menace it will I think faize out itself in time. Kids change habits as it gets boring/not cool.

I see only way educate at school hard hitting facts if we like pics to shock what happens. Get in there heads at younger age might mean we save the future nations.

I actually agree with that .I'm currently trying to get it through my 21yr old student son that the idea of going out to drink is to socialise not get off your face and puke into your rubbish bin in his bedroom .The only coherant answer i got was "well whats the point then"

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Chris

Have you been in Asda lately? All the wines that used to be 3 for a tenner are now just £3.33 each.

Bonus: 1 penny saved for every 3 bottles bought, and artificially inflated prices for buying just one bottle removed...

[Gary L]

Don't worry everyone. it's going to have to be another U-turn due to legalities. they don't call him U-turn Dave for nothing.

When I was a young man, we had a Prime Minister with a great big slap head who always said one thing but did another. we called him U-turn Dave.

You do seem a little obsessed with our Prime Minister - do you have a "man crush" on him, and your constant bilious comments a method of compensation?