Review
Russell Bennetts. Alcohol: Price, Policy and Public Health
; Russell Bennetts. Alcohol: Price, Policy and Public Health. Report on the findings of the Expert Workshop on Price convened by SHAAP. December , 2007. 58 ppThis timely Report from SHAAP (Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems) provides a thorough document on the role played by price in relation to alcohol and public health. An overview of the evidence on the link between price, consumption, and levels of harm is provided and the authors emphasise that "alcohol is now available in more places, for longer periods and at more affordable prices." However, the greatest value of the Report lies in the efforts made to provide actual policy ideas and an assessment of the likelihood of their eventual implementation. Both the Scottish Government and Westminster should give strong consideration to the key recommendations made within.
There now exists a wealth of empirical evidence supporting the link between the affordability of alcohol and levels of harm resulting from its consumption. This has been a key factor in gaining consensus in the alcohol policy field for an increase in the levels of excise on alcohol. This Report forms part of this body of work while also alerting the reader to more recent trends in this area. While Scottish legislation is due to come into place to deal with irresponsible sales of alcohol in the on-trade sector, the off-trade sector has arguably been somewhat neglected in discussions. Deep discounting and below-cost selling are practices that UK supermarkets themselves admit to. This Report draws much needed attention to the most recent evidence on this issue, showing incontrovertibly bad form on the part of major supermarkets that engage in this practice. Attention is drawn to the shocking finding that the total sales value of below-cost alcohol by five major UK supermarkets during the 2006 football World Cup amounted to approximately £39.6 million.
With subtlety, the Report summarises the debate in the alcohol policy field concerning population-based measures of harm reduction versus efforts aimed at specific problem-groups. The final chapter elucidates well why alcohol policies "need to reach the majority of drinkers" and provides a more than adequate counter to pronouncements from the alcohol industry that an increase in the levels of excise on alcohol would punish moderate drinkers in a disproportionate manner. In addition, the Report calls for a specific increase in UK taxation on cider, citing it as a drink that appeals to vulnerable groups. Indeed, the authors declare, "both population-based strategies and interventions, and those targeting particular groups such as young people and hazardous drinkers, are required."
The case is argued for minimum drinks prices and the authors show their skill in explaining the intricacies of competition law and EU law that relate to such an idea. It is not clear at this point whether the authors believe that the introduction of minimum drinks prices would be a more proportionate and necessary measure than an increase in the levels of excise on alcoholic drinks. An increase in the excise levels on alcohol would be less likely to be deemed trade-restrictive and would have a similar end result. The authors are to be applauded for going into such depth on how the legislation for minimum drinks pricing could be introduced and, especially, for drawing attention to the continued anomalies that exist in the alcohol tax system. The Report thus opens up debate over the relative merits of increased taxation, a minimum price regime or the pursuit of both policy options in tandem.
A sense of urgency concerning the health of Scottish drinkers is palpable throughout the Report. It is therefore encouraging to witness how the Scottish Government continues to lead the way in the UK in setting policy that seeks to reverse the trends of damage from alcohol witnessed in recent times. SHAAP have been and remain very much a part of this effort and this latest publication serves as a fine example of their well-researched and thoughtful work.
Economic Research Officer, Institute of Alcohol Studies, London, UK
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