Today's news carries the bad news that the 'health fascists' appear to have won the argument over minimum pricing for alcohol. It seems that the government is to publish a consultation paper on the matter, which normally means it's made up its mind and is now simply going through the motions of pretending to listen to the views of interested parties.
No one can be in any doubt that there are people in our society who drink from too young an age and / or drink excessively; some drink to such excess that it results in anti-social behaviour as well as causing serious damage to their health. However, introducing a minimum price for all sales of alcohol is simply using a paper sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Most people do not drink to excess, they actually drink fairly responsibly; these people will be equally affected by the proposed legislation. Whether they get through one bottle of wine a week or one bottle of gin a month, they may well find themselves paying much more than now for their tipple. In round figures, a minimum price of 45p per unit would see a fairly standard bottle of wine, say at a strength of 12%, having to cost at least £4.05, while it would be illegal to sell a standard bottle of spirits for less than £12.60. Beers that are often sold in supermarkets for around £1.50 would suddenly rise in price to £1.80 or more.
Many questions arise.
Are things really as bad as the government claims, both in terms of public disorder and health consequences ?
Is it reasonable to try to control a tiny minority of the population by imposing price controls on us all ?
Will introducing minimum prices actually have the desired effect ? What is the real evidence ? Alcohol is not a product like furniture or electrical goods; it is more like mobile 'phones, designer clothing and cigarettes. The price / demand curve may act anomalously.
Is it right that the government, any government, controls the price of any product in a free society ? (We all know what happened in the USA when they tried to outlaw the sale of alcohol in the 1920s).
How will the minimum price be obtained ? Will it be through higher duties and VAT, or will the retailers simply make a greater profit ?
How will pricing be monitored ? Will we have yet another government watchdog, OFHOL perhaps, set up and run at enormous cost to the public purse, and with its snoopers around every corner ?
Accepting that there is a problem with some people in some areas, why on earth doesn't the government address these people and areas directly, rather than trying to impose draconian legislation on the whole nation ? If there are people who cause disruption in towns either by the irresponible sale or consumption of alcohol, deal with them. Close down retailers who sell to underage drinkers and give the weekend town centre louts proper punishments, but do not take this fascist approach of trying to regiment the whole of our society - it will not work and will end in tears.
With cigarettes, successive governments have increased the duty until prices are now at a ridiculous level, and yet still many people smoke and more start every day, including many who are far too young to buy cigarettes for themselves. They have banned smoking in many places and yet still smokers carry on; they're in the process of banning displays of cigarettes and yet still new smokers appear. Presumably, this is the pattern that will now follow for alcohol. When minimim pricing doesn't have the desired effect, the BMA and other fascist groups will demand further action. No drinking in public places, then restrictions on sales outlets and hidden displays - this may seem impossible, but it will happen.
Responsible drinkers must join the fight now or face a future in which there won't even be a single glass of wine with their dinner, or a single beer with their pals in the pub.
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