HIGHER DUTIES, FEWER DEATHS, SAYS ALCOHOL CONCERN

Alcohol Concern today reiterated its call for the government to raise alcohol duties to affect a 10% rise in alcohol prices across the board.

ALCOHOL CONCERN PRESS RELEASE

HIGHER DUTIES, FEWER DEATHS, SAYS ALCOHOL CONCERN


Alcohol Concern today reiterated its call for the government to raise alcohol duties to affect a 10% rise in alcohol prices across the board. Its 2008 Budget submission argues that an increase of this scale would reduce adult alcohol-related mortality by up to 37% and dent the ability of high risk groups, such as the under aged, to buy as much alcohol as they do. It also calls on the government to restore the integrity of alcohol taxes by legislating against the heavy discounts offered by most major supermarkets.

Don Shenker, Acting Chief Executive says:
"Over the past twenty years successive governments stood by as alcohol became progressively cheaper. The end result is that we now drink far more than our parents ever did. Price is a crucial determinant of demand. With alcohol deaths rising year on year, urgent and dramatic action is needed to halt these fatal policies. However, for the moderate tax hikes to work government must legislate to stop the big retailers discounting drinks so deeply. We call on them to use their considerable powers to achieve this."

In support of its case Alcohol Concern's submission makes the following points:


While UK excise duties are relatively high in a European context, they are declining in real terms. Duties on spirits have not increased since 1997, and while those on beer and wine have been adjusted for inflation, they have not kept up with the growth in disposable income. This means that alcohol is now 65% more affordable than it was in 1980.

A range of studies have found that increasing the price of alcohol can reduce road accidents and fatalities, workplace injuries; deaths from cirrhosis if the liver and various kinds of violent crime.

Raising alcohol taxes also has the added advantage, unlike tobacco taxes, of potentially being a progressive tax. Successive survey data shows that while alcohol-related harm is borne largely by those from routine or manual backgrounds those from professional or 'middle class' homes are far more likely to buy alcohol regularly, and to drink above the recommended levels.


ENDS

For press enquiries please contact Frank Soodeen at the Alcohol Concern Press Office on 0207 264 0514 or 07866063013, or email franks@alcoholconcern.org.uk

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.

Copies of the submission are available on the Alcohol Concern website.

Date: 07 March 2008