The minimum price move would reduce overall consumption in the UK, with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) concluding that “making alcohol less affordable is the most effective way of reducing alcohol-related harm”.
The NICE report calls for:
- A regularly reviewed minimum price per unit
- Reducing the number of outlets selling alcohol
- Applications for new licences to be based on assessments of existing premises and problems in the area
- Adding a public health objection to the Licensing Act, as in Scotland
- Alcohol advertising regulations to be strengthened, with a review for a total ban
The recommendations from NICE, which gives guidance to government, adds a further pressure for some sort of legislative approach on the issue of alcohol – the new government has already intimated it favoured banning supermarkets selling drink at below cost.
Greater powers for police and councils
As well as banning below cost sales, the new government’s plan for licensing and alcohol sales includes banning below-cost sales, giving police and councils greater powers to revoke licences and allowing councils to charge more for late-night licences.
Responding to the NICE report, Mark Hastings of the British Beer & Pub Association said: “We need to reflect on the fact we have some of the highest alcohol tax rates in the developed world, coupled with one of the most rigorous regulatory systems covering the sale and consumption of alcohol.
“What we now need to look at are smarter targeted policies, rather than blanket policies that penalise all.”
Mark Stretton is editor of BigHospitality's sister title M&C Report.