Alcohol Concern responds to Patricia Hewitts call for higher alcohol taxes to prevent underage drinking.

Don Shenker, Director of Policy and Services, said: We welcome the fact that Patricia Hewitt has stepped into the debate at this critical time. The levels of under-aged drinking continue to rise and we are now at a point where nearly half of all of 15 year olds consume alcohol regularly.

For Immediate Release

13:00 hrs, Friday 27th October 2006-10-27


Alcohol Concern responds to Patricia Hewitts call for higher alcohol taxes to prevent underage drinking.

Don Shenker, Director of Policy and Services, said:

We welcome the fact that Patricia Hewitt has stepped into the debate at this critical time. The levels of under-aged drinking continue to rise and we are now at a point where nearly half of all of 15 year olds consume alcohol regularly. There is compelling evidence to suggest that lifting price levels through taxation would reduce the amount of alcohol that vulnerable groups, including young people are able to buy. One recent study by the Academy of Medical Sciences concluded that a 10% hike in the price of alcoholic beverages could reduce alcohol-related mortality figures by up to 37%. As it stands, drink is so cheap that teenagers with an average of GBp9 pocket money per week are able to access it. Higher prices would take it further away from their reach.

However, there is much more that both the government and drinks industry could do to reduce the amount of harm caused to the nations youth by alcohol misuse. Its crucial that pupils are provided with accurate, credible and consistent information about the hazards of alcohol. We also know that childrens attitudes towards drinks are heavily shaped by their parents drinking patterns. Parents need to become more self aware about the example theyre setting for their kids, and government has a role in helping them to do so.

The producers and retailers of alcohol also have a greater role to play. Recent figures released by a recent Home Office experiment show that nearly 1 in 3 children are able to buy alcohol illegally. It is up to the drinks industry to develop much more robust systems to prevent alcohol from getting into the hands of the young.

ENDS

For more information please contact Frank Soodeen at the Alcohol Concern press office on 0207 395 4003.

Notes to editors

Alcohol Concern is the national agency working to reduce alcohol-related harm in society. We work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of alcohol services available to problem drinkers and their families.

Date: 27 October 2006