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The prime minister has indicated his support for councils that want to ban shops and bars from selling cheap alcohol.
David Cameron said plans in Greater Manchester to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit would be looked at "very sympathetically".
Previously the prime minister had refused to acknowledge the benefits of introducing minimum pricing per unit on alcohol.
Ten local authorities in the north-west region want to bypass laws to address public disorder and health issues caused by binge drinking.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Cameron clearly stated he did not want to introduce a national minimum price.
But he said: "I think the idea of the councils coming together on this is a good one and we will certainly look at it very sympathetically...
"Where there can be local decisions we are very happy for that to happen.
"It may be that we need to do something to help deliver the localist answer."
The prime minister continued: "I think if what you're trying to do is stop supermarkets from selling 20 tins of Stella for a fiver that's what we've got to go after.
"Where I want to try and help is ending the deep discounting on alcohol.
"People going and 'pre-loading', having bought from a supermarket where they were attracted by a price designed to bring them into the store."
In June, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) voiced its support for a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley agreed with NICE as to the urgency of the problem, but expressed doubts on the grounds that would punish low-income families.
Speaking to leaders of the tourism industry this morning at the Serpentine Gallery, he said he wanted to crack down on supermarkets selling alcohol at very low prices for people to drink before going out.
"There is a problem with very cheap alcohol, alcohol being bought at convenience stores and supermarkets that people are using to what's called 'pre-load' before they go out. And this is a problem you just can't ignore," he said.
"We've got a situation where in some supermarkets you can walk in and buy incredibly cheap drinks, a lot of which is high strength lager, which people are using to get off their heads before they even go out.
"That is what we've got to hit."
Article Comments
David Cameron and local authorties should mind their own business over th price of alcohol. If supermarkets wish to sell at a reduced rate it is a business decision in the interests of the customer.
I am sick to death of being told what we may or may not buy. if people wish to 'Get off their heads' before they go out this is no business of the Government or local authority. I would advise MPs to look at their own drinking habits before criticising those of others.
For God's sake Cameron stay out of things which are not your remit and look at the massive tax you are getting from the sale of alcohol.
For the record I do not drink but support those who wish to.
Gerald Phillips
13th Aug 2010 at 1:36 pm
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