Yes. As demonstrated by Canada MUP has been an effective measure of reducing alcohol consumption. Alcohol is currently cheaper than other leisure activities for youths in the UK. Cheap products are the main causes of the majority of alcohol related problems, including; death, disease, domestic violence, child neglect, and child abuse. Reducing affordability has been an effective policy to reduce the negative implications from alcohol in Canada. 

Do you think our night-time economy has been revitalised by drinking (or are cities becoming no-go zones)?

Yes, “drinkertainement” and “foodatainment” were major contributors to revitalising the night-time economy from 1980-2005. On the other hand, venues targeting a youth demographic (e.g. weatherspoons) has the deterred older population from going into the city at night. This is due to fear of drunkenness, anti-social behaviour, and violent crime. However, Mark Jayne suggests this is a moral panic as violence has not significantly increased.

Is it safer to drink at home?

No. Drinking at home is less visible and more affordable which increase the amount that can be purchased. This increases the risk of domestic violence andalcohol related disease. 

 Are units a useful tool to measure levels of drinking? 

Age Cymru claims units are confusing and percentages of daily intake would give a clearer definition of a measure. 

I think suggesting a safe amount to drink is harmful as it condones alcohol. There should be a message of don’t drink.

Do you agree with long term increase duty rates?

Yes. By increasing the affordability of alcohol fewer people will be able to purchase the product. This will inevitably have a positive impact on health but also the costs associated with alcohol consumption. 

 

Missy

 

Yes, 

 

63% of 16–24 year-olds agree that cheap alcohol encourages drinking to get drunk

 

MUP would play a pivotal role in tackling health inequalities without penalising moderate drinkers on low incomes

 

MUP would also reduce drinking among children and young people, as they are particularly sensitive to price changes, as research into tobacco pricing has demonstrated

 

MUP supports important and socially responsible local pubs by addressing irresponsibly low prices in the off trade

 

 

According to research commission MUP is more effective than ‘ below cost sales BCS

 

·         Overall reduction in alcohol consumption MUP - 2.50%          BCS 0.04%

 

·         Reduction in crimes by the end of year one  MUP 50,700        BCS-  900 

 

 

·         Reduction in days absent from work due to alcohol consumption by the end of year one                                                                   MUP - 376,600           BCS - 5,700 

 

·         Reduction in deaths related to alcohol abuse by the end of year ten 960 14 Reduction in hospital admissions by the end of year ten         MUP - 35, BCS - 100 500

 

·         Total cost reduction to health, crime and workplace absence over ten years 

MUP - £5.1bn  BCS£77m

 

 

There is evidence of both

 

A contradiction between revitalising town centres with increased alcohol consumption and the negative impacts from increased crime and disorder has been identified.

Evidence points to the emergence of an alcoholised 24-hour city centre catering exclusively to youth culture, creating perceptions of fear and danger.  As opposed  to a more varied nightscape with which people feel much more comfortable.

 

For whom, the individual or families

 

·         74% of child mistreatment cases in the UK are alcohol-related.

 

·         93,500 babies under the age of one live with a parent who is a problem drinker.

 

·         A fifth (21%) of all calls to ChildLine are from children worried about drinking by a parent or other significant person.

 

·         They describe fears of neglect, violence, isolation and fear.

 

·         Over a third of victims of domestic violence perceived their attackers to have been under the influence of alcohol.

 

It is hard for an individual to gain a perception of how much alocohol has been at home 

Pubs/clubs measure units and also can stop sale id person is deemed to ‘have had enough’

 

·         insufficient evidence  to  make  completely confident statements about how much alcohol is safe

 

·         Can the generally public understand what a unit actually is ?

 

·         Daily units are often a form of discussion

 

·         Do not take into consideration age, lifestyle, genera health etc.

 

·         A  thorough  review  of  the  evidence  concerning  alcohol  and health  risks  is  due. 

·         The  Department  of  Health  and  devolved  health 

 

·         Departments  should  establish  a  working  group  to  review  the evidence and  advise  whether  the  guidelines  should  be  changed.  

 

 

 

 

Yes 

According to Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA)

 

·         Alcohol consumption and harm in the UK is at historically high levels

·         Reducing the affordability of alcohol is internationally recognized as one of the most effective ways of addressing alcohol harm 

·         Alcohol is currently 61% more affordable than it was in 1980, largely because duty rates and therefore retail prices have not risen in line with disposable income

·         Alcohol affordability in the UK has increased significantly more than most EU countries

·         wine and spirits make up 73% of alcohol consumed each week by women and among young women aged 16-24 the proportion of spirits drinkers is larger than any other demographic group

·         Between 2002-2010 female alcohol-related hospital admissions amongst this age group increased by 76% - high levels drinking link 

It’s currently cheaper for our children and young people to buy a 3-litre bottle of cider than it is a cinema ticket

 

However 

On their own, tax rises are unlikely to stem the tide of very cheap alcohol but when implemented alongside a minimum unit price, they remain an important and effective tool in reducing the harm of alcohol

More education is needed