Tougher action is needed on alcohol pricing, labelling, and advertisements, say experts

More than 70 health organisations have backed a call for tougher action to tackle the problems caused by excessive drinking in the United Kingdom, including targets to reduce the amount of alcohol that adults drink and to reduce the number of deaths from liver disease.

The strategy for action by the Alcohol Health Alliance says that the government needs to go beyond messages about “responsible” drinking and instead prioritise policies that would reduce alcohol sales, alcohol consumption, and alcohol related harm.1 Among its 30 recommendations are a 50p (€0.6; $0.8) minimum price per unit of alcohol sold, graphic warning labels on bottles, and a ban on alcohol sponsorship and advertising.

Scotland introduced legislation in May 2012 for a 50p …