By Julie Morgan

Published at 11:05, Thursday, 05 April 2012

CUMBRIA’S top public health doctor says the government’s proposal of a minimum price of 40p per unit of alcohol is an important step in tackling the county’s growing booze epidemic.

Moving on:ProfessorJohn Ashton, director of public health for Cumbria

Under the proposal, a minimum price would act as a floor and retailers would not be allowed to offer alcohol below that level.

Professor John Ashton, Cumbria’s director of public health, said: “We know that price has a big impact on people’s drinking behaviour. Introducing a minimum price for alcohol is an important step towards tackling our hazardous drinking culture.

“The North of England is the alcohol centre of the UK and Cumbria is right up there. There are around 4,500 alcohol-related hospital admissions in the county each year.

“While this step would help to curb some of the cheap supermarket booze we see on offer, it would not affect the vast majority of responsible pubs and drinkers.’’

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk