Minimum pricing - act now!
The best evidence shows that controls on the price of alcohol make a difference to people's lives.
Please don't miss this chance to act on alcohol harm!
The next few weeks will be our last chance to influence the shape of the alcohol strategy, which will shape public policy on reducing alcohol harm for years to come. We must act now to counteract the lobbying power of the drinks industry and major retailers.
The Prime Minister has come out in support of minimum pricing, but the Secretary of State for Health has not- this is the moment when we need MPs to call for minimum pricing and help ensure that it becomes government policy.
Up until now, the government has relied largely on voluntary measures by the drinks industry to reduce consumption. Given that the turnover and profitability of the drinks industry is entirely reliant on maintaining or increasing alcohol consumption, there is a clear conflict of interest involved in this approach.
Twitter: #ActNowOnAlcohol
What you can do
Please contact your MP
Every letter or email from a constituent really does make a difference
MPs are far more likely to take an interest when an issue affects their own constituents, but understandably victims and families sometimes keep silent about alcohol related disease and deaths. We would like to ask all our supporters to help to bring about an alcohol strategy that works by writing to your local MP.
It would help MPs to understand why this matters so much if you felt able to include a personalised account of why the issue is important or how it has affected you, your family, friends or community. It is important to include this at the beginning so that the letter is not dismissed as a chain letter or given an automated response but doesn’t need to be lengthy. A single sheet of A4 or a brief email can sometimes have more impact than a very long letter.
It could also contain a few key facts (see download below) and finally it should include a couple of follow up questions for your MP or minister such as asking how many alcohol related deaths have occurred in their constituency. This is the combination that has most impact, especially if it also includes a request to meet in person in their constituency surgery. But even without a meeting, these kinds of letters are very persuasive with a call for the MP to back the inclusion of minimum pricing in the Alcohol Strategy.
Download or read our briefing paper on the difference that minimum pricing could be expected to make
Find your MP's email and postal address at www.parliament.co.uk