While numbers of smokers continue to fall, concern has focussed on the effects of harmful drinking on both health and society as a whole. Alcohol is a socially accepted drug and unfortunately we are seeing ever increasing numbers of health problems associated with harmful drinking- this is not necessarily the 'youth' binge drinking; harmful drinking can include folks who drink modest amounts each day, but cumulatively exceed their weekly limits. As well as increased risk of accidents and liver disease, alcohol also increases your risk of high blood pressure and the calories associated with it can increase your weight and put you at risk of diabetes and heart disease. Doctors are urging ministers to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol as a way of controlling harmful behaviour (this has worked in other countries without the sensible drinker seeing any significant cost in their weekly spend on alcohol). Unfortunately the drinks industry is a powerful lobbying body and prefer to demonstrate concern by sponsoring alcohol awareness campaigns (the evidence suggests that these are no benefit at all). A sobering thought is the amount spent on alcohol advertising compared to that spent on helping folks with problems.
For more info, go to: http://www.alcohollearningcentre.org.uk/Topics/Browse/AlcoholEffects/?
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Generally I am opposed to the state interfering in the lives of citizens. However, given that the NHS is paid for out of general taxation we all pick up the bill for those who abuse alcohol so steps to avoid such abuse are probably reasonable. Introducing a minimum price per unit of say 50p might help reduce binge drinking by the young but is unlikely I think to affect those who drink moderately every day but exceed their weekly limit. An unacceptably high level of say 75p/unit might, as this would mean a lot of wine at around £4 bottle would become £7.50. A combination of say 50p/unit plus more educational promotions is probably worth trying.
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