Report reveals public support for alcohol regulation
A new report released today (19 September), has revealed public support for tighter Government regulation of alcohol policy.
Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, is welcoming the findings of the ‘British Social Attitudes: Attitudes to Alcohol Report’, published by Public Health England.
The report revealed that over half of the UK public (52%) support a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol. MUP would set a minimum price for drinks based on their alcohol content, targeting the cheapest, highest strength products, such as white ciders, which are often favoured by dependent drinkers and younger people.
Research shows a minimum unit price of 50p would result in almost 1,000 fewer deaths, 30,000 fewer hospital admissions and 50,000 fewer crimes each year nationally.
The PHE report also revealed that over three-quarters of people (77%) think that the drink-drive limit should be lowered, 76% support a ban on alcohol adverts during TV shows aimed at young people, and a similar figure (74%) support more detailed health information on alcohol labels.
Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, said: “We welcome the publication of this report as it confirms what we already know to be true in the North East, that there is public appetite for greater regulation of the alcohol industry.
“From drink-drive deaths to numerous health conditions, alcohol is inflicting devastating damage across our region and it’s high time the Government listened to public opinion and took decisive action to begin to turn the tide on alcohol-related harm.
“In line with the national report, we know that twice as many people in the North East support as oppose a minimum unit price, a move which would target the low cost, high strength alcohol products and be an obvious step towards helping protect the health of the most vulnerable in our society.
“The report also backs our findings that the North East public is in support of a wide range of alcohol legislation, including more detailed health information on alcohol products, greater restrictions to protect children from alcohol advertising and the lowering of the drink drive limit. We’re confident that support for these measures will only continue to grow in the North East and across the UK in the months and years ahead.
“We recognise that changing regulations is not something that can happen overnight but we urge the Government to listen to the public and take bold action to address these areas of public concern and in doing so save lives and reduce the huge toll alcohol is taking on our communities.”
The full report can be viewed at http://www.bsa.natcen.ac.uk/media/39124/bsa-33-attitudes-to-alcohol.pdf