15 February 2012
Last updated at 04:35 ET
Prime Minister David Cameron will say “innovative solutions” are needed to curb alcohol abuse
Prime Minister David Cameron is set to call for bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry in England to do more to help ensure responsible drinking.
On a visit to a hospital in north-east England, he will promise to tackle the “scandal” of drunkenness and alcohol abuse that costs the NHS £2.7bn a year.
He is set to suggest the use of US-inspired “drunk tanks”, cells to house people overnight while they sober up.
The government will publish its alcohol strategy for England later this year.
A ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price – less than the tax paid on it – is set to be introduced in England and Wales from 6 April.
But ministers are expected to go further in the forthcoming strategy, recommending a higher minimum price for drink.
‘Costs jobs’
Scotland has already introduced an Alcohol Bill, which could become law before the summer, although ministers have yet to set a minimum cost per unit.
But opponents of a minimum unit price say it is unfair because it penalises all drinkers, not just those who cause or have problems.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who admitted struggling with alcohol, says young people feel pressured to drink
It is thought any go could also be open to legal challenges relating to European competition law.
The British Beer and Pub Association said there was “a danger it would be done through higher taxation, which would be hugely damaging to pub-goers, community pubs and brewers, costing thousands of vital jobs”.
During his hospital visit, the prime minister is expected to criticise the “reckless” behaviour of an “irresponsible” minority and cite figures suggesting alcohol-related costs to society may total between £17bn and £22bn a year.
He is set to say people in town centres, hospitals and police stations across the UK have to cope with the consequences of excessive drinking every night and the problem is getting worse.
‘Sense of respect’
He will say the last decade has seen a “frightening growth” in the number of people who reckon it is “acceptable for people to get drunk in public in ways that wreck lives, spread dread and increase crime”, adding that many of those doing so are under the legal drinking age.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
GP Peter Baines: “Right to focus on alcohol and the problems it can cause”
Figures suggest £1bn is spent on accident and emergency services alone dealing with issues related to alcohol abuse.
Mr Cameron will promise to help emergency services “rise to the challenge”, including putting more police on patrol in hospitals.
“We need innovative solutions to confront the rising tide of unacceptable behaviour,” he is expected to say.
“This isn’t just about more rules and regulation. It’s about responsibility and a sense of respect for others,” he will say, calling on the drinks industry, supermarkets, pubs and clubs to work with government to ensure that “responsible drinking becomes a reality and not just a slogan”.
Labour has already indicated it also backs minimum pricing.
