Professor Sir Ian Gilmore on Alcohol Duty Cuts: A Public Health Perspective
We know that price is the biggest single determinant of how much people drink and therefore how much harm we see in communities, and the duty escalator was a way of trying to reverse the fact that alcohol was getting cheaper in Real Terms Year On Year.
What happens when the government cuts alcohol taxes? In this episode of the Alcohol Alert podcast, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance, dives into the complex world of alcohol duty and its impact on public health. He explains how pricing strategies like the duty escalator can influence drinking habits and reduce alcohol-related harm.
You'll hear about the benefits of a minimum unit price, which aims to curb excessive drinking by setting a floor price for alcohol. Sir Ian also touches on the need for clearer health warnings, calorie counts, and unit information on alcohol labels to help consumers make informed choices. He doesn't shy away from discussing the role of alcohol advertising in sports and music festivals and how it can shape societal attitudes towards drinking.
By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the economic measures that can help tackle alcohol misuse in the UK. Whether you're a policymaker, health professional, or someone interested in public health, this episode offers valuable insights into the ongoing debate about alcohol taxation and its broader implications.