Homelessness charity Thames Reach has called the Government’s decision to increase taxation on all alcohol by two per cent, as opposed to targeting deadly super-strength drinks, ‘a missed opportunity’.
Thames Reach has been campaigning for the price of a nine per cent can of super-strength lager such as Carlsberg Special Brew to be doubled as a result of the Chancellor’s budget to take them over £2.
The charity believes this will reduce deaths among marginalised and homeless people and encourage the drinks companies to concentrate on the production of regular and premium strength lagers and ciders under five and a half per cent.
Thames Reach believes that any tax increase on super-strength drinks could have been offset by a reduction in the tax on weaker lagers and ciders; which would in turn create a change in people’s drinking patterns.
Thames Reach supports the Government’s £4million Know Your Limits advertising campaign which aims to make the public aware of how many units of alcohol are in each drink, but points out that the campaign is undermined when a single, half litre, unsealable can of nine per cent super-strength lager contains four and a half units of alcohol; in excess of the government’s daily recommended limit of two/three units for women and three/four units for men.
Hundreds of deaths have occurred over the past decade directly as a result of the damage caused by these drinks which are vastly stronger and more dangerous than the normal lagers and ciders.
Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, said: “Super-strength lagers and ciders have thousands of homeless men and women hooked and desperate. Super-strength drinks are essentially a drug which are consumed by the addicted in staggering quantities. They create a huge drain on the public health system and contribute to anti-social behaviour and crime, including some high profile and deeply tragic murders.
“The Chancellor has missed an opportunity to address one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century and we will be remorseless in continuing to raise public awareness of the impact of super strength drinks until such time as they are priced off of the off licence shelf.”
Ends
Notes to editor
1) Thames Reach is one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities. Its ultimate goal is to end street homelessness.
It runs the services helping rough sleepers off the streets, accommodation including hostels and supported housing projects, and innovative schemes which help formerly homeless people develop new skills, re-engage with family and friends, and get back into work. See www.thamesreach.org.uk
2) Homelessness charities have helped 20,000 people off the streets of the capital in the past ten years.
3) For further details contact Thames Reach communications manager Mike Nicholas on 07816 113420 or 0207 702 5646.
mike.nicholas@thamesreach.org.uk
