Public ‘sceptical’ about minimum alcohol pricing

New research has suggested that the public is ‘sceptical’ that the government’s plans to introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol will help to curb alcohol consumption.

A focus group study published in the BMC Public Health journal claimed that doubts existed that the policy would be effective in reducing alcohol use.

The report said: “There was little evidence to suggest that people would support the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol policy. Scepticism about the effectiveness of the policy is likely to represent the most significant barrier to public support.

“Findings also suggest that clearer educational messages are needed to dispel misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of the policy and the introduction of the policy as part of a package of government initiatives to address excess alcohol consumption might be the best way to advance support for the policy.”

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “This latest research makes it clear that consumers are opposed to minimum unit pricing. They believe that it will punish the responsible majority whilst doing nothing to tackle alcohol misuse and fear it could exacerbate existing social problems.

“David Cameron is facing a backlash from Cabinet and Europe about this policy, legal action in Scotland and now consumers are saying they don’t like it either. It raises serious questions about who he is listening to and why he is pushing ahead with it.”

A further report released today by Zolfo Cooper, an advisory and restructuring specialist, claims that a significant majority of people are against a national minimum price per unit of alcohol, with 60% saying they were against such a move.

In the report 2,000 consumers were asked: “Do you think supermarkets should be prevented from discounting the price of alcohol to attract customers to visit their stores?”, 60% of respondents said no.