Leading article: Calling time on super-cheap alcohol
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There are some superficially reasonable arguments against the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol: the market should find its own level, say, or hiking prices penalises all drinkers, not just the problematic ones. But such points count for nothing against the wider social costs of super-cheap booze.
While far from desirable, the binge-drinking mayhem in town centres each weekend is the least of the issue. Rather, it is the soaring number of long-term, often fatal, alcohol-related health problems – costing the NHS nearly £3bn annually – that clinches the case.
Evidence suggests a strong link between alcohol prices and the amount people consume. And health experts maintain that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved every year by a 50p-per-unit minimum. After too long swayed by the drinks industry, the Government is finally showing signs of listening. Not a moment too soon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments