![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/13\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Martin.Hagger.png\" "\\"Martin.Hagger\\"")
<\/a>At the recent launch of Alcohol Research UK, the new charity released findings of a study it had commissioned from a team headed by Curtin health psychologist Martin Hagger.<\/p>\nThe research revealed the views and misconceptions of the UK public regarding the impact of a ‘minimum pricing policy’ in combating alcohol-related harm.<\/p>\n
Some experts have suggested that introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol would reduce excessive liquor consumption.\u00a0Until now, there had been little in-depth investigation of the attitudes and beliefs of the public toward such a policy.<\/p>\n
The qualitative research led by Professor Hagger found people were generally skeptical about minimum pricing but that many did not fully understand the policy and its implications.<\/p>\n
Many participants did not see minimum pricing would target discounted alcohol sales, and equated it with other pricing strategies such as increases in duty.<\/p>\n
Respondents also failed to recognise the public health significance of small population-level reductions in alcohol consumption, and were preoccupied with the effects for heavy and dependent drinkers.<\/p>\n
When asked how minimum pricing might be made more palatable, participants suggested the money raised should be used to fund other interventions.<\/p>\n
Many respondents said minimum pricing should be introduced as part of a wider package of government policies to address excessive drinking.<\/p>\n
Professor Hagger said that, to be successful, any minimum pricing policy would need to address misconceptions highlighted by the research.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as being skeptical about the effectiveness of a minimum pricing policy, many of those who took part in our research simply didn\u2019t fully understand the policy and its implications,” he said.<\/p>\n
“There are many ways in which the issue of alcohol-related harm could be tackled, but if the government chooses to implement a minimum pricing policy, our research suggests that it would be more acceptable to people if it were introduced as part of a wider package of measures to target excessive drinking.<\/p>\n
“Policy makers must focus on communicating the policy clearly so that people understand its purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n