In the light of a report by Alcohol Concern published today, which shows that 90,800 people will die avoidable deaths from alcohol-related causes by 2019, Cardiff Central Lib Dem MP, Jenny Willott has thrown her weight behind moves to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.
Jenny argues that the figures will translate to mean over 7,000 deaths from alcohol-related causes over the next decade in Wales. She said:
“These disturbing figures underline just how costly alcohol priced at pocket-money rates really is for Wales.
“Wales already has a higher level of alcohol related deaths than the UK average. This report suggests that at the current rate, over 700 people in Wales will die of alcohol-related causes every year by 2019.
“By failing to invest in alcohol treatment services and refusing to stop alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices, the Government is helping to fuel a dangerous booze culture in parts of Wales.
“The Government must listen to its own experts and bring in a minimum price for alcohol; otherwise the death toll will continue to rise leaving the NHS to pick up the bill.”
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Matt O’Grady does not support a minimum price for alcohol.
http://www.freedomcentral.org.uk/2009/08/much-rather-be-drinking-anyway.html
He does however like typing in the third person.
How liberal!
jenny willott is absolutely correct. In my own little utopia, Sennopia!alcohol would be non-existence and we would all be fit, astute, responsible and benevolent persons- the intoxicating effects of alcohol seem to get in the way of anything positive humanity is capable of. I would ban it. Do the right thing! (Each to their own of course just in case i get a drunken mob after yours truly!)
Life has too few pleasures as it is without denying people yet another.
Some people will always abuse drugs, but that is not a reason to restrict other people’s enjoyment of them.