Alcohol cheaper than Water

[Jangler]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6962974.ece

Supermarkets have been accused of encouraging binge drinking by continuing to sell alcohol more cheaply than bottled water.

The fact that it is possible to buy beer cheaper than water is seen by campaigners as worrying. Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said government attempts to curb binge drinking were being undermined by supermarket discounting.

“Unless they tackle the problem of cheap alcohol, they are fighting a losing battle,” he said. “The evidence shows young people and harmful drinkers are drawn to very cheap alcohol.

“Supermarkets sell alcohol at a loss because they know it gets people into the stores. A lot of these sales are irresponsible.”

A spokeswoman for the British Medical Association added: “It is a real worry that you can buy alcohol cheaper than mineral water. We have a huge problem with alcohol abuse in the UK, so we want a clampdown on these cut-throat price deals.”

Supermarkets denied they were promoting irresponsible drinking, pointing to schemes requiring younger customers to prove their age as evidence of their intention to tackle under-age drinking.