The 50p deterrent to binge drinking

COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are to press for a 50p per unit minimum price for alcohol – despite a minor rebellion on the authority’s executive board.
Cllr Mike Biggin and Cllr Sheila Woodyatt voted against the move and Cllr Bob Timmis abstained.
But the board voted in favour of national legislation for a minimum unit price of 50p or, alternatively, a local bylaw to implement the minimum price across Warrington and Cheshire.
Cllr Biggin (pictured) said he did not believe a 50p per unit minimum price would deter the people the council were trying to target – the young, binge drinkers.
He said: “Some of them think nothing of going out and spending up to £100 a night on drink. A minimum price of 50p will not deter them.
“But it will effect people you are not trying to target – the elderly man who wants to go out for a quiet pint and a social chat.”
Cllr Biggin also suggested that if Warrington introduced a minimum price and a neighbouring borough did not, it could lead to drinkers rushing from one pub to another.
Leader of the council Ian Marks said ideally there would be national legislation and there would be no question of Warrington taking unilateral action.
Cllr Roy Smith, executive member for health and wellbeing, said alcohol was one of the leading causes of ill health locally.
Alcohol related hospital admissions at Warrington rose 22 per cent between 2002/3 and 2007/8 and local monitoring in 2009/10 suggested a further 18 per cent increase.
Alcohol consumption in England had almost tripled over the last 60 years and in Warrington, about 60 per cent of years life lost from digestive diseases was attributable to alcohol.
Deaths attributable to alcohol among women in Warrington were the 18th worst in the country.
A 2006 lifestyle survey showed that 24.8 per cent of Warrington residents drank at a hazardous level – the second highest in the region and the 13th highest nationally.
Forty four per cent of anti social behaviour in the town was caused by drink, plus another 17 per cent when domestic disturbance was taken into account.
There was a clear relationship between price and consumption of alcohol. A minimu unit price of 50p would reduce consumption of very cheap alcohol among problem drinkers and younger drinkers.
“It would put a stop to the 2 litre bottles of cider from £1.21 and 15 packs of lager for £5,” he said.
However, consumers would still be able to get a pint in a pub for £1.50 and a bottle of wine in a supermarket for £4.50..
Cheshire Police Authority has given its full backing to a 50p per unit minimum price across Warrington and Cheshire.