Your extensive coverage regarding the government's responsibility deal on alcohol (How drinks firms won the fight to keep alcohol cheap, 17 February) challenges the legitimacy of industry's involvement in shaping public policy, and the way in which we engage with others.
At Diageo we believe we have a responsibility to share our knowledge of operating in this sector, and that we have a right to be heard ? just like any other stakeholder. We are but one voice, one perspective, alongside NGOs, academics, the medical community, the police, politicians and consumers.
The responsibility deal is an excellent example of how a collaborative approach, with every interest represented, can work. No one group or organisation has had undue influence. We will all be making compromises, but we have all signed up to work together to improve the health of the public. It is ultimately up to government to decide on policy based on the insight we collectively provide.
We will always support evidence-based policies to tackle the misuse of alcohol that actually work. Our views on alcohol pricing reflect our knowledge of operating a global drinks business. We have seen in other markets that price is a blunt and ineffective tool for tackling misuse, and it unfairly impacts the vast majority of consumers who enjoy alcohol responsibly. We believe targeted interventions are much more effective, and we play our part by ensuring that our products are marketed responsibly, in funding the Drinkaware Trust, financing programmes up and down the country, and via our work in promoting sensible drinking. We will also be wholeheartedly supporting the responsibility deal.
Simon Litherland
Managing director, Diageo GB
? For the first time the government is to introduce a guarantee that alcohol cannot be sold below its level of duty and VAT. If the government thinks higher prices help tackle alcohol misuse, it will now be able to raise the level of duty knowing that it has to be passed on, with the revenue going to the public purse. If it chooses, the government could then ringfence funding for alcohol education, NHS care, or initiatives that will help tackle the complex problem of a small minority who misuse alcohol. It is too early for health campaigners to say this new floor price will not work.
Richard Taylor
Director of corporate affairs, Morrisons
? I welcome your coverage of how the powerful drinks lobby controls the Conservative-led government's alcohol policy. I have raised this repeatedly in parliament.
I enjoy a pint of beer and I know most people drink sensibly. But I want the government to champion the public ? not commercial ? interests to tackle binge drinking and alcohol misuse. It has conceded the principle of minimum pricing, but has opted for a price of duty plus VAT, which is woefully inadequate.
The government knows its research indicates that there is a clear link between alcohol price and the harms associated with alcohol. I believe a minimum price must take account of alcohol production and distribution costs.
Together with effective alcohol pricing, we also need action on alcohol promotion, for example in cinemas, where it is too easy for young people to be influenced. And I want us to work to end the use of alcohol to promote sport, including my own favourite sport of rugby.
Labour, Blaenau Gwent
? Our work as clinicians and public health scientists makes us all too aware of the dreadful toll caused by tobacco in our society. Smoking kills one in two of long-term users as a result of a powerful addiction that is typically established in childhood or adolescence. It is vital that we do everything possible to put tobacco out of sight and out of mind to protect our children from tobacco marketing.
Removal of point-of-sale displays (Close call, Society, 16 February) will be a high-profile affirmation of the government's commitment to public health, and is a clear example of a policy "nudge". A law has been passed ? it now needs to be brought into effect without further delay.
Professor Alex Markham University of Leeds, Professor John Britton University of Nottingham, Professor Gerard Hastings University of Stirling, Professor Robert West University College London
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/19/good-health-and-the-drinks-lobby
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