LESS than one in five people back the UK government’s plans to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol down south and even fewer think it will tackle binge drinking, according to a new poll.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), whose members include major retailers, wine and spirit brand owners, wholesalers and drinks merchants, published the research last week as it launched the Why Should Responsible Drinkers Pay More? campaign against plans for a 45p a unit minimum price in England and Wales.
The campaign was launched days after a legal challenge to a minimum unit price of 50p in Scotland was heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh; the hearing ended on January 25 and a ruling is not expected for up to six months.
WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said the campaign website (www.whyshouldwepaymore.co.uk) allows people to get in touch with their local MP, through email or Twitter, and sign an online petition to voice their opposition to minimum unit pricing.
“The recent polling clearly shows strong opposition to minimum unit pricing,” he said.
“Our campaign aims to warn the public that the government’s plans to set higher alcohol prices will cost responsible drinkers more.”
