Alcohol is a huge part of society; it is a social drink and is for enjoyment. But on a darker note it is a depressant and can lead to cancer and death if not drank sensibly. So the government has come up with a plan of minimum alcohol pricing. But will this really work?
In the U.K studies show that placing a minimum price of 50 pence per unit would save up to 3000 lives per year and would result in 41000 fewer cases of chronic illnesses. People’s health comes before anything shouldn’t it? The government has realised the effect this has on people and are attempting to take action without banning it completely, which would end in chaos.
Some would say why should the government choose how we live our own lives? The government do not have the right how to tell people to live. People know the risks of alcohol and still choose to drink at their own accord and they have every right to. It is their life. Their responsibility.
Minimum price alcohol means less binge drinking? Those who drink themselves ill are usually those who have less money. They cannot purchase expensive champagnes and wines but instead all they can afford is cheap ciders and other cheap alcoholic beverages. These drinks being cheap also means consumers buy larger quantities of lets say 20 bottles and the equivalent price of a single bottle of champagne. Making the drink more expensive limits the volumes these drinkers can buy. This will potentially save their lives.
Will having a minimum price increase crime rates? The minimum pricing will affect the poorer people the most. They will see this as a punishment. They may go to extremes, smuggling alcohol in from other countries will be much cheaper. The worst possible out come would be criminals beginning to home-brew alcohol. This being done in Russia has blinded or even killed hundreds of people.
Bar managers all over the country will be jumping with joy. Bars have been struggling over the past few years as the