Commenting on the alcohol duty
rates announced in the 2011 Budget, Dr Peter Rice, chair of
the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said:
"The Royal College of Psychiatrists
welcomes the confirmation in today’s Budget that alcohol duty rates
will 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. Alcohol misuse has a considerable effect on the
nation’s health, including our mental health, and this duty
increase above the rate of inflation will help tackle one of the
UK’s biggest health and social problems.
"But while the College is pleased the
Government is increasing duty on the strongest beers over 7.5
per cent alcohol by volume, we regret that no specific
action was taken on cider duties. Low duty on cider means that it
is the favoured drink of the heaviest drinkers. Those entering
treatment in a UK service reported drinking twice as much strong
cider as strong beer. Cider remains the cheapest way to buy alcohol
in the UK and is on the shelves of our supermarkets at a cost of
25p per unit of alcohol."
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127