Great Britains Chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has proposed to set a minimum price for alcohol, a minimum of 50 p per unit of alcohol. It would double the cost of a £10 pack of lager, nearly double the cost of a bottle of vodka to £20 and set the minimum price for a bottle of wine at £4.50. Donalson claims that the effect of this would be 3 393 fewer deaths each year, 97 900 fewer hospotal admisions and 45 800 fewer crimes. Research from many countries show that there is clear connection between prize and alcohol consumption.

Prime minister Gordan Brown rejects the proposal, though, saying that “We do not want the responsible, sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a small minority.” The drink industrys reaction has been similar, while the proposal has gotten positive responds from other health officers.
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, says to Daily Mail “all the evidence shows that price is one of the most important drivers of alcohol consumption and the amount of harm done”. “This could have a huge effect on underage drinkers, and heavy drinkers.”

Donaldson called, in a reaction to Browns statement for a national consensus that alcohol consumption should be substantially reduced. ”
‘Let’s try and imagine a country where nobody dies in an accident caused by alcohol; where no child has to cower in the corner while its mother is beaten by a drunken partner; where the streets are welcoming for all on a Saturday night; and where the streets are free of urine and vomit on a Sunday morning.”

Donaldson also propose tightening up licencing laws. The scottish government will introduce minimum prices later this year.