Is an alcohol price cap the answer to binge drinking? We ask you (From News Shopper)

Is an alcohol price cap the answer to binge drinking? We ask you

3:41pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Alan Woods

From left to right, top to bottom; Rebecca Fitzgerald, Jimi Oladimeji, Joshua Stanley, Paul Harmer, Rukhsana Ravji and Matthew Dighton.

Cheap alcohol has been a hot topic in Parliament this week. Reporter TOM JASPER asks shoppers whether they think a price cap is the answer.

PROPOSALS to charge at least 45p per unit of alcohol – in a bid to cut crime and early deaths – were reportedly ditched by the government this week.

But Prime Minster David Cameron has pledged to “deal with” sales of cheap alcohol sold in supermarkets across the country.

If the 45p per unit rule had been introduced, the minimum price for a can of lager would be £1.56 whilst a 750ml bottle of wine would have to cost at least £4.22.

Doctors' leaders have urged David Cameron to "be courageous" and take a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save lives and save the country money" by setting a minimum price.

But Tory critics said the policy was a "blunderbuss" which would penalise responsible low-income drinkers while doing nothing to tackle problem drinking.

Speaking in The Commons on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said: “There is a problem with deeply discounted alcohol in supermarkets and other stores and I’m absolutely determined we will deal with this.

“We published proposals, we are looking at the consultation and the results to those proposals, but, be in no doubt, we've got to deal with the problem of having 20p or 25p cans of lager available in supermarkets.

“It's got to change.”

What you think:

Rebecca Fitzgerald, 23, of Burdett Avenue in Gravesend said: “An increase in drinks prices will help curb the amount of binge drinking amongst young people and as a university student I can totally vouch for that. In my opinion it can only be a good thing.”

Jimi Oladimeji, 49, of Leatherbottle Green in Erith said: “The prices should certainly be raised for people of a certain age. The younger generation need to learn responsibility with alcohol and what their limits are.”

Joshua Stanley, 20, of Kidbrooke Park Close in Blackheath said: “I don't really think it matters too much as people will still drink regardless. It's unlikely that it will put people off going out and enjoying themselves.”

Paul Harmer, 56, of Brampton Road in Bexleyheath said: “Corner shops especially are selling alcohol far too low - for example selling cans of Stella Artois at six cans for £5 is a dangerous headache in a can.”

Rukhsana Ravji, 31, of Hampton Road in Newham said: “Increased prices are needed as they contribute towards binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. Companies also need to be careful when advertising cheap offers to general public.”

Matthew Dighton, 23, or Herbert Road in Bexleyheath said: “I think prices need to be lowered to accommodate people that perhaps don't earn a lot compared to others and can't afford a good night out as much. It depends where you go but I think some areas around here are very expensive.”