***Press release***
Homelessness charity Thames Reach which has been leading the campaign for an increase in taxation on super-strength drinks, has welcomed the Chancellor’s plans to increase the tax on super-strength ciders and called on Alastair Darling to introduce similar measures on super-strength lager.
Thames Reach has been lobbying political parties and the drinks industry since 2005 in a bid to increase the price and reduce the availability of super-strength drinks.
Alastair Darling’s new measures will involve the definition of cider changing to ensure stronger variants are taxed more heavily. Charity campaigners from Thames Reach are hoping that the cheaper, poor quality white super-strength ciders made from apple concentrate and corn syrup rather than apples and invariably containing more than 7% alcohol are the ones which will be hit hardest.
Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, said: “ As the price of super-strength lagers and ciders has fallen over the last twenty years and more and more brands have entered the market, the health of thousands of homeless and marginalised people has been destroyed leading to many addicted men and women facing a painful and premature death.
“We applaud the Chancellor for increasing tax on these super-strength ciders and we hope he will follow up this measure with an increase in the price of super-strength lagers too.
“If this government can target super-strength lagers as well as strong ciders, we believe this will lead to a reduction in the consumption of both these problem drinks, fewer alcohol-related health deaths and a fall in anti-social behaviour.
Thames Reach worked with over 1,000 people last year who are addicted to these deadly drinks. Their figures show that more homeless people receiving support from the agency have died over the past decade through excessive consumption of super-strength drinks than from the misuse of dangerous, illegal drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin.
A single 500ml can of nine per cent super-strength lager contains four and a half units of alcohol, in excess of the Government’s daily recommended alcohol limit of three/four units for men and two/three units for women.
Ends
Notes to editor
1) Thames Reach has campaigned on the issue of super-strength drinks since 2005. Its Early Day Motion in 2007 attracted the cross-party support of 53 MPs.
2) Thames Reach is one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities. Its ultimate goal is to end street homelessness. It runs a range of services to help rough sleepers off the streets, accommodation including hostels and supported housing projects, and innovative schemes which help people develop new skills, re-engage with family and friends, and get back into work.
See www.thamesreach.org.uk
3) For further details contact Thames Reach communications manager, Mike Nicholas, on 07816 113420 or 020 7702 5646.
mike.nicholas@thamesreach.org.uk
