Alcohol (Minimum Pricing)
Debate between Hywel Williams and Nick Smith(13 years, 10 months ago)
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Nick Smith
The point about discouraging young people is powerfully made, and I know that unintended consequences can be a problem. That is why we need more research. Having said that, I still think the price suggested by the Government is way too low.
Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC)
Is it not more likely that minimum pricing will encourage young people to drink responsibly in public houses, thus supporting the traditional pub industry and also providing a degree of supervision?
Nick Smith
The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point.
It is not surprising that the former chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has called for a 50p minimum price per unit, as it is estimated that it could save 3,300 lives a year. Does not a proposal from such an eminent source, with a distinguished record of public service, merit serious consideration?