The Association of Convenience Stores is concerned by the recommendations of the Health Select Committee’s report into alcohol, which includes a range of
measures to restrict price, availability and marketing of alcohol. Of note is legislation to introduce a minimum price of 40p per unit and regulations to restrict alcohol siting to one aisle per store.
ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: "We believe partnership working and education are the best ways to create real change in the cultural attitudes to alcohol. Community-based alcohol partnerships have shown what can be achieved when retailers work in partnership with their local communities to tackle alcohol-related problems.
"But an introduction of a minimum price per unit would have limited impact on local shops, who are not able to offer those very low-cost promotions. Any regulation that would restrict the price of alcohol must be based on evidence that it would be effective in tackling the problem drinkers. It is important that measures do not harm the vast majority of consumers who drink sensibly. The other promotional restrictions would increase bureaucracy for local shops. There should not be any further regulations unless there is clear evidence that these measures would be effective in reducing the alcohol-related harms caused by the small minority of problem drinkers."
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