Gov urges creation of more low strength spirits

Councils across England and Wales have urged the drinks industry to create more lower strength wine, cider, beer and spirits to tackle the “ticking time bomb” of excessive consumption.

The increased availability of lower strength alcoholic drinks could boost the UK’s beleaguered pub trade, says the LGA

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales with responsibility for public health, said the move would help tackle the annual £3.5 billion cost to the NHS of dealing with harmful drinking.

The LGA also said more lower or zero units drinks options would cater to growing demand among consumers seeking to moderate their alcohol intake, or not drink at all.

As such, the increased availability of these products would “revitalise” UK pubs, which are closing at a rate of almost 30 a week, the LGA states. According to the association, there has been a 40% rise in younger people choosing not to drink when they go out over the past decade.

It also wants to see government extend current tax breaks on beer to lower strength ciders, wine and spirits to enable them to be sold more cheaply than their higher strength equivalents.

The government halved tax on beers with an abv of 2.8% or below in 2011, which the LGA says boosted sales of these products by more than 40% nationwide within a year.

“Increasing the availability of zero alcohol and weaker strength drinks will help people live healthier lives by helping to control drinking levels and tackle the harm caused by excessive drinking,” said Cllr Tony Page, licensing spokesman on the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board.

“With a new generation of non-drinkers on the rise, there is a growing demand for greater choice in alcohol-free and weaker drinks, with several ‘dry bars’ opening up across the country.

“Tax breaks for beer have helped fuel a rise in low-strength products. This should now be extended to cider, wine and spirits. This would support and reward the development of low-strength, low-harm drinks that are making a significant contribution to improving long-term health impacts, such as liver disease, and save money for the public purse.”

A recent survey published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that more than 2.5 million Britons surpass the recommended weekly alcohol allowance of 14 units in just one day.