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Brown Kills UK Plan to Double Alcohol Prices

Britain's top doc called for raising costs to combat binge drinking

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2009 8:10 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Gordon Brown today rejected controversial proposals from Britain’s top medical officer to establish minimum prices for alcohol, the Guardian reports. The PM said he would protect the “sensible majority of moderate drinkers” after a report advised doubling prices to combat binge drinking. In Scotland, however, the regional government is preparing to introduce a floor for alcohol prices—the first in Europe to do so.

Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.
Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.   (©garryknight)
Gordon Brown leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons, March 11, 2009.
Gordon Brown leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons, March 11, 2009.   (AP Photo)
A pub at Leicester Square in central London. Gordon Brown today rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.
A pub at Leicester Square in central London. Gordon Brown today rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.   (©Secret Pilgrim)
A pub in Central London. Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.
A pub in Central London. Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, rejected a proposal from the country's chief medical officer to double the price of alcohol to combat binge drinking.   (©Bruno Girin)
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We should drink more, but in public
Times (UK)

 
alcohol • United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • binge drinking • alcohol abuse • drinking

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