ALCOHOL STRATEGY AND MINIMUM UNIT PRICING

That this House recognises minimum unit pricing as a highly effective tool to reduce the number of deaths related to alcohol, crime and workplace absence; notes that Wales has now followed Scotland in approving this approach; further notes that alcohol misuse is costing between £21 billion and £52 billion in England and Wales per annum; is concerned that there are over 1 million hospital alcohol-related admissions each year; believes that it is unjustifiable that three litres of white cider with an alcohol content equivalent to 22 shots of vodka can be bought for just £3.49; and calls on the Government to follow-up its drugs strategy by publishing a comprehensive alcohol strategy that includes this minimum unit pricing policy which will save lives and relieve pressure on the NHS.