Doctors' report under fire from BBPA

Evidence cited by the British Medical Association (BMA) as it argues for a hike in alcohol tax has been slammed as "flawed and flimsy" by a trade leader.

Doctors claim that inflation-busting alcohol tax rises, a reduction in licensing hours, laws to ban irresponsible promotions and a cut in the legal drink-drive limit would all have an effect on binge-drinking. The BMA published a 90-page report to back up its claims.

But Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "The evidence offered by the BMA for many of their assertions is both flawed and flimsy. Contrary to what it says, since the introduction of the Licensing Act two years ago, alcohol consumption has fallen.

"Equally, high taxes are not the answer. The fact is we already have some of the highest taxes and prices in Europe. Yet our alcohol problems and those of all the high tax and high price countries are significantly greater than the low tax and low price countries of Europe.

"Our drinking culture and behaviours have a long history and are deeply embedded - they won't be changed by flicking a tax switch. There are many problems which need to be addressed and the BMA rightly says that 'alcohol-related harm requires the accurate identification of individuals who misuse alcohol'. We agree, yet the BMA is proposing blanket-based policies, such as raising prices and restricting availability, which punish everyone rather than targeting the problem individuals."

Hayward called on the BMA to come forward with a plan for how doctors themselves could better promote the message and culture of responsible drinking.