RCN welcomes minimum alcohol unit price consultation

Published: 28 November 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has joined other members of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA UK) in welcoming the publication of the Government’s consultation on a minimum unit price for alcohol in England and Wales.

The RCN is pleased the Government has recognised the link between cheap alcohol and binge drinking but says that the current self-regulation is not enough.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

“Alcohol abuse costs the NHS £3billion every year and nursing staff witness first-hand the social costs of binge drinking every day. Alcohol abuse causes long term health conditions, increases crime, destroys families and puts A&E staff at risk from violence; all of which are totally unacceptable. As long as alcohol is available at a heavily discounted price these will continue.”

The RCN is calling for a mandatory code encompassing minimum unit pricing and robust regulation on the sale of alcohol, including proper minimum unit pricing.

Read about the Government consultation on the Home Office website.

Further information

The Royal College of Nursing is a member of Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA). It is a group of 32 organisations whose mission is to reduce the damage caused to health by alcohol misuse.