A PRICE hike on alcohol could reduce binge drinking. Guernsey’s British Medical Association representative Dr Brian Parkin said that a significant increase would cut alcohol-related problems.

‘There is clear evidence that the cheaper alcohol is, the more people will drink and the more problems there’ll be with alcoholism,’ he said.

‘Society has to decide if it has to be restrictive. By putting the price up, they will drastically reduce the problem – but by doing so, they’ll be infringing on others who have no problem with drink.’

Dr Parkin said that it was not his job to make social policy, but scientifically there was a relationship between usage and cost.

He said the island did have a binge drinking problem, but it was in no way unique.

‘It’s the same in UK and other Western countries. France and Italy are a lot better because their attitude towards drinking is a lot healthier.’

Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association chairman Peter Leigh said that people would continue to drink, regardless of price, and the term binge drinking was misleading.

‘I sell a bottle of Bud for £2.20 and you go into other establishments and the price could be as high as £4. If putting up the prices of alcohol dissuaded binge drinking, no one would go in these places.

‘They say binge drinking is having more than five units of alcohol a day. I don’t even think this is binge drinking as such.’

Mr Leigh said that a price increase would make people more inclined to drink at home, which would be far more dangerous because the measures tended to be bigger.

He said that any increase in cost would be another attack on the working man.

‘We’re adults, leave us alone. Why do we have to be fussed over all the time?’