BII slams calls for more tax on alcohol
Today's launch of the Alcohol Health alliance has been attacked by the BII.
Twenty four health organisations have come together to launch the body, which is campaigning for:
* Increased taxation on alcohol
* A ban on alcohol advertising before 9.00 pm and in cinemas apart from 18 rated films
* Dedicated funding for alcohol treatment and prevention strategies
* More promotional material to carry information on health related harm
* The drink driving limit to be reduced to the EU standard of 0.5g/l and a near zero limit for new drivers
But BII chief executive John McNamara said the focus of efforts to tackle the binge-drinking culture among young people should be education, rather than taxation.
"The UK is already the second highest taxed country in the European Union in tax on alcohol and we are still tackling alcohol related issues," said McNamara.
"The industry has been working hard to establish a high level of social responsibility but the real key to tackling the issues of young people being admitted to hospital through the abuse of alcohol is education."
The BII launched its Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) for young people in October - and already 70 educational establishments are offering the qualification.
"The way forward is not to tell children about the evils of drink in isolation, they need to be aware of all the wider issues surrounding the use of alcohol and how to make an educated choice about alcohol consumption," he continued. "This qualification offers this. Feedback from young people who have already completed the course makes it clear that their approach to alcohol has been altered in a positive manner.
"Cheapness and availability of alcohol is not an issue in other European countries, we have to look at a cultural change in the UK not banging up taxes and making alcohol harder to obtain. Cultural change begins with educating young people now and also having a realistic view that young people will experiment with alcohol but with a sound backing of education will not end up as a horror statistic."
