David Cameron to urge bars to help combat irresponsible drinking
Prime Minister David Cameron is set to urge bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry in England to help to combat irresponsible drinking.
Cameron is expected to promise to tackle the "scandal" of drunkenness and alcohol abuse, which reportedly costs the NHS £2.7b a year, on a visit to a hospital in the North East today, according to the BBC.
The call comes ahead of the Government's alcohol strategy, due to be published later this year. The strategy could call for a higher minimum price for alcohol. A minimum price which prevents the sale of alcohol for less than the tax paid on it is due to come into force on 6 April, although it is expected to have very little effect.
Meanwhile, another proposal Cameron is set to make today is for the use of US-style "drunk tanks" to house intoxicated people overnight until they sober up.
Cameron will say that the last decade has seen a "frightening growth" in the number of people who think it is "acceptable for people to get drunk in public in ways that wreck lives, spread fear and increase crime", with many of those drinking to excess are under the legal drinking age.
By Neil Gerrard
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