'A share of the profit should go back into the community': What Hebburn residents said about a minimum unit price on booze in the borough

At a meeting of the Hebburn Community Area Forum (CAF) on Monday, February 24, health bosses spoke about the impact the measures could have in the borough.

The level currently proposed is 50p per unit of alcohol, in line with Scotland, and would see the cost of a three litre bottle of cider triple in price.

It is predicted to prevent 144 deaths every year in South Tyneside, saving the NHS £550,000.

Current figures for the borough show that 50 adults die every year from alcohol consumption, with almost 3,000 hospital admissions annually.

Seven percent of residents drink to a high risk level – higher than the national average for England.

In addition, according Stephen Carter, a senior public health advanced practitioner with South Tyneside Council, said that the MUP would target those who are ”drinking alcohol to excess and are more likely to suffer harm” and aims to promote a “change in behaviour”.

Figures show that alcohol consumption fell by 3% in Scotland since the introduction of minimum unit price, while increasing by two percent in England and Wales over the same period.

Residents at the meeting had a chance to have their say on the introduction, with some pointing out that it was “penalising” the most vulnerable in society.

One said: “I don’t understand why the money isn’t going to preventative measures to help the most vulnerable in society, instead of making it more expensive for people who have problems.”

Meanwhile Hebburn South councillor on South Tyneside Council, Wilf Flynn expressed concern that the hike in prices would fuel illegal brewing and purchasing of alcohol.

He commented: “It seems like an astronomical increase and I find it hard to believe that they are just going to stop drinking, so what’s the alternative? I don’t know the level of illegal sales in the borough but are we not in danger of driving that side of the market up?”

There were also suggestions that the price increase would force people to turn to other substances and concerns over the substantial profits that supermarket chains stand to make.

A number of residents suggested that the additional profits should go to charity or back into the community to help those affected by alcohol misuse.

Stephen Carter agreed that a “polluter pays” principle as seen with tobacco manufacturers - where a proportion of the profit goes towards treating the harm and disease caused by smoking - could be put forward in their proposal.

Mr Carter said there was “no evidence to suggest an increase in illegal activity associated with the purchase or production of alcohol” or a rise in other substance use, since the minimum unit price was introduced in Scotland.

He added that MUP is part of a “broader, multi-faceted alcohol reduction strategy” which is also looking at prevention and recovery services.