The Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA) has invited the prime minister and other cabinet members to visit hospitals to see first-hand the damage caused by alcohol misuse. This would show ministers why the introduction of a minimum unit price is essential to tackle the problem.
In a letter written to the prime minister, the AHA urges him not to ‘falter at this late stage’ and ‘to put health and lives first’.
The AHA says a minimum unit price ‘will have the greatest impact on the heaviest drinkers and families devastated by alcoholism, but with minimal impact on moderate drinkers’. There is good evidence that young people, binge drinkers and heavy drinkers prefer cheaper drinks, and these groups are especially responsive to price. Research from Canada shows that minimum unit price works and results in a decrease in alcohol related deaths, says the AHA.
The Alliance, which represents all major medical and nursing organisations, highlights the burden alcohol misuse places on the NHS, the police and families. Every year the health service spends billions of pounds on alcohol related disease. Around half of all crime in Britain is related to alcohol and it is linked to 40% of all domestic violence cases
The AHA urges the prime minister not to give in to pressure from the global alcohol producers who clearly have a vested interest in making alcohol more accessible and encouraging individuals to drink more.
Chairman of BMA Council, Dr Mark Porter, said:
The prime minister has a once in a lifetime opportunity to put health and lives first. We sincerely hope he has the courage to do this.
The AHA has also put together an e-petition to demonstrate to the government that doctors, nurses and the public back minimum unit price
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the AHA UK and Royal College of Physicians special adviser on alcohol, added:
Doctors, the police, emergency services and leading children’s charities all publicly endorse minimum unit price, and recent public opinion polls show the majority of people support tough action on alcohol too. We urge the government to stand firm on minimum unit price in the confidence that the evidence gets stronger, and the support base wider, for this policy by the day.