Member News
By Nick Smith MP - 2nd February 2011
I requested a debate on the minimum pricing of alcohol following the government's announcement earlier this month that it had opted for a minimum price of duty and VAT. I see this as woefully inadequate.
I have a special interest in public health and alcohol abuse is one of the major health and social problems facing us today. The facts are stark – alcohol abuse costs the NHS £2.7bn. Since 1970 there has been a threefold increase in cirrhosis (ninefold for those under 45). A recent Alcohol Concern report showed that more than 92,000 children and young people under 18 were admitted to hospital for alcohol misuse between 2002 and 2009. Girls are more likely to need hospital treatment than boys and excessive drinking makes them take more risks such as walking home alone when drunk.
The British Crime Survey shows that half of all crime is alcohol related and the total cost to the UK of alcohol misuse (including costs to the NHS) has been estimated at upwards of £2bn.
So I want the government to act effectively and to act now. The government knows its research indicates that there is a clear link between alcohol price and the harms associated with alcohol. The BMA, the Welsh BMA, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the Association of Chief Police Officers and many others have criticised the government's minimum price policy.
Department of Health Research demonstrated that a minimum unit price of 20p, 30p, 40p and 50p will prevent 30, 300, 1,300 and 3,300 deaths respectively. So, it is not surprising that the former chief medical officer Liam Donaldson has called for a 50p minimum unit price, which it is estimated could save 3,300 lives per year. Doesn't this proposal from such an eminent source, with a distinguished record of public service, merit serious consideration rather than cursory, contemptuous dismissal . I do not believe that a minimum price should take no account of production and distribution costs.
In this debate I hope to show that a realistic minimum price for alcohol is not unfair to the 'moderate' drinker or to those on the lowest incomes, but could save many precious lives and prevent others from being blighted. So, I will call on the Conservatives to make good on their promise in Opposition to 'call time on drinks that fuel anti-social behaviour'. I am also calling for restrictions on alcohol promotion, as for example, I am very concerned about the promotion of alcohol in cinemas where it is too easy for young people to be influenced. And I want us to work to end the use of alcohol to promote sport. Watching the Heineken Cup and having a pint is one of life's pleasures. But, it would still be a great tournament if it was sponsored by another industry and drinking in moderation was seen as cool by our young people.
Nick Smith was elected Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent in May 2010.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.