28.11.12
Price tag
There has been significant concerns raised about the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol, not least from the alcohol industry, which will directly suffer if consumption goes down.
Others have raised concerns that introducing a minimum price will unfairly punish those who drink in moderation – although health organisations have stated that this is a smaller group than generally thought.
Is it fair to make a citizen who is not costing the health service or society huge bills in alcohol-related disease and disorder pay more for their drink?
Of course it is difficult to determine whether drinking now will result in further costs down the line, and then there is the question of whether fair matters at all. Paying huge bills, both for the NHS and for resultant crime and antisocial behaviour, does not seem fair for the everyday taxpayer.
Can we put a price on saving thousands of lives from alcohol?
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]