Commenting on the Budget 2012, Dr Peter Rice,
an alcohol addictions specialist and Chair of the Royal College of
Psychiatrists in Scotland, said:
"We welcome the confirmation in today’s Budget
that alcohol duty rates will continue to rise at 2% above
inflation. The falling relative price of alcohol, in particular the
cheapest alcohol, has been a major factor in the doubling of
alcohol-related deaths in the UK over the past 20 years.
"The Royal College of Psychiatrists continues
to believe that we need a minimum price for alcohol. Our best
advice at present is that a price of 50-60 pence per unit should be
the starting point. We are convinced by the international evidence
on the key role of price, and believe this move will be a powerful
factor in reducing the toll of alcohol-related harm and avoidable
early deaths. The process of the initial setting, monitoring and
adjustment of the price will require good current data on health
trends. It cannot be a 'one off' exercise. In addition to the
prevention benefits of minimum pricing, we also need greater
investment in alcohol services for people with alcohol-related
problems, and we eagerly await the government’s forthcoming alcohol
strategy.”
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127