Health chiefs want alcohol price hike

An influential health body has backed calls for minimum pricing, tough new restrictions on granting licences and a ban on alcohol advertising.

The advice from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which gives guidance to governments and others on health matters, adds pressure on the new coalition to take a tough stance on licensing — and the problem of deep discounting among supermarkets in particular.

Trade chiefs said NICE's ideas are misguided.

In a new report, NICE 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

"We are strong advocates of the minimum price per unit," said president of the Royal College of Physicians, Ian Gilmore. "An advantage is that it won't affect the on-trade."

Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health, said the on-trade has "nothing to fear" from the proposals.

Industry frustration​

However, the British Beer and Pub Association criticised the "blanket policies" put forward.

"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," said director of communications Mark Hastings.

"What we now need to look at are smarter targeted policies, rather than blanket policies that penalise all."

Gavin Partington of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said NICE has failed to address the root causes of alcohol problems and called for better education as a preventative measure.

Partington added: "Minimum pricing is probably illegal and won't stop problem drinkers. Advertising is already tightly regulated and banning it would hit the pockets of millions of consumers and threaten the loss of thousands of jobs."

Concern​

A spokesman for SABMiller said it was "concerned at the focus on price and advertising".

"Marketing is essential to free and fair trade. It encourages competition between brands, not the consumption of alcohol by people who otherwise would not drink."

The new Government's plan includes banning below-cost sales, giving police and councils greater powers to revoke licences and letting councils charge more for late-night licences to pay for policing.