Health professionals call for an end to cheap alcohol
Health professionals believe that banning cheap alcohol will help to reduce Britain’s binge drinking habits, reports the BBC website today.
A survey carried out by the Royal Colleges of Nurses and Physicians showed that 80% of the 205 doctors and nurses polled wanted to see minimum pricing for alcohol – as recently suggested by England’s chief medial officer Sir Liam Donaldson.
These proposals however were rejected by Gordon Brown, although the Scottish government has announced plans to ban cheap alcohol promotions and to implement a minimum price per unit.
Those surveyed work with those affected by alcohol abuse, and nearly three quarters said more resources were needed, and 88% said that funding was not keeping up with the demand.
Dr Peter Carter from The Royal College of Nursing said: “Nurses have said time and time again that the government must take more drastic action to tackle the growing issue of alcohol misuse.”
“Better regulation of the labelling, sale and advertising of alcoholic drinks, as well as widespread education on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, is needed to curb this significant problem.”
