Health chiefs welcome ban on cheap booze

LOCAL health chiefs have welcomed plans to ban the sale of cheap booze in supermarkets.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced guidance on reducing the harm from binge-drinking and plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol — a policy the Greater Manchester Health Commission supports.

The minimum pricing plan is aimed at reducing the amount and rate of alcohol people can drink. Minimum pricing would target booze which is being sold at extremely cheap prices per unit and drinks promotions that can lead to violence.

Research shows that as the price of alcohol rises, consumption falls. Other benefits from bringing in minimum pricing include reductions in violent crime and workplace absence.

Councillor Cliff Morris, chairman of the Greater Manchester Health Commission, said: “The announcement and guidance from NICE is welcome news.

“The cost to the quality of life in Greater Manchester is already huge and rising.

“The introduction of a minimum price for alcohol — which the Greater Manchester Health Commission initially highlighted last year — would go a long way to improving the health of people across Greater Manchester.

“The misuse of alcohol in our region can cause real social and health problems, both for individuals and for our communities.

“These proposals would go a long way towards reducing harmful alcohol use.”