MP backs cut-price booze ban

2:32pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho has today (Tuesday) backed a bill to stop the sale of cut price booze to try and stop the explosion of binge-drinking.

The new bill aims to bring in a four point package to combat binges in which people drink over half the weekly limit of alcohol in one sitting.

Lynda, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse, said: "Society pays a huge price for binge drinking.

"Alcohol is a factor in half of street crimes, and the cost to the NHS is £3.2 billion. Most of us enjoy having a drink with friends, and may go over the top on special occasions. But this bill aims at cutting the human toll of regular week-in, week-out binge drinking."

The Alcohol Sales (regulation of prices and promotion) Bill which Lynda is sponsoring, will bring in four measures to regulate the sale of alcohol: Rules to enforce better labelling of alcoholic drinks - so labels show clearly how many units of alcohol are in each container.

Limits on point of sale promotions - to make sure alcohol is sold in specific, clearly signed areas - not spread all over the shops and supermarkets, and that limits are placed on counter displays of alcohol.

A ban on selling alcohol at cut price rates, by having a minimum unit cost of alcohol. This would prevent the cut prices which saw cider selling at only 22p a litre, and happy hours where people pay a flat rate and drink as much as they can. It would not affect people enjoying a pint at the pub or buying a standard bottle of wine for a family meal.

Establishment of an industry-wide council to oversee the measures.

Lynda added: "The drinks industry is successful and lucrative. It has to play its part in encouraging responsible drinking. This bill sets out some improvements that could prevent the worst of the abuses.

"I hope the Government will take up these proposals and make sure they are put into effect. We have to reverse the rising tide of binge drinking which is causing public squalor and private misery in many communities."