Doctors call for ban on cheap alcohol

A minimum price on alcohol is the most important weapon in tackling alcohol abuse, according to doctors and nurses.

A snapshot survey of medical staff, conducted by the Royal College of Physicians, revealed that 73% were in favour of action to tackle the sale of cut price alcohol.

A total of 90% were in favour of introducing compulsory unit information, 81% believed that consumption would decrease if price was increased and 84% of respondents thought that public health campaigns were not effective. Also, 71% believed greater investment in treatment services is required.

"While informing the public through health campaigns is important, these findings shows that front line doctors and nurses treating patients with drink problems do not believe that this enough to reverse our binge drinking culture and must be linked to tough actions on cheap alcohol and round the clock availability," said Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, added: "Nurses have said time and time again that the Government must take more drastic action to tackle the growing issue of alcohol misuse.

"Better regulation of the labelling, sale and advertising of alcoholic drinks, as well as widespread education on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, is needed to curb this significant problem.

"The RCN again calls for the introduction of a single mandatory code that applies to the whole alcohol industry to prevent retailers from engaging in unscrupulous practices which encourage consumers to drink to excess."