An independent body of senior doctors and researchers is calling for the price of alcohol to be doubled in an attempt to reduce the harm caused by binge drinking.
The Academy of Medical Sciences says it is not against alcohol, but that drinking levels need to return to those of the early 1970s, when the population drank an average of 7 litres each per year.
Today’s rate is 11.1 litres per head, representing a rise of 50 per cent in 30 years.
The academy’s members say there is a direct link between the price of alcohol and the amount consumed – in relative terms, alcohol was twice as expensive 30 years ago.
They are also calling for a reduction in the amount of alcohol that can be brought into the UK from Europe – the current travellers’ allowance provides a heavy drinker with a 272 day supply of alcohol.
The report also says that a 10 per cent rise in the price of alcohol in the UK would reduce mortality from drink-related conditions by 7 per cent to 37 per cent.
Posted by James at March 8, 2004 12:31 AM