Support for maximum price on soft drinks

The idea of a maximum price for soft drinks in pubs - to encourage more moderate alcohol consumption - received support today at a conference in London.

A delegate at the Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum suggested it would be a good idea because people "feel ripped off paying too much" for soft drinks in the on-trade.

It was pointed that sometimes the cost of a pint of coke is sometimes almost the same price as a pint of beer.

And Mark Bellis, director of the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, said the trade should explore the issue.

"I take on board your point," he said. "I'm not sure we'd be in favour, but clearly it's something the industry really needs to look at."

Bellis also pointed to rules in Germany known as the "apple juice law" which sets a maximum price on soft drinks. "Something like that is quite reasonable," he added.

Tobias Ellwood, shadow licensing minister, who was chairing the session, said the law was "very interesting" and it was something he would look into.

Later Cathie Smith, director of BIIAB, said having a maximum price on soft drinks was a good idea and "something to work on".