Why punish all drinkers?

I read with interest Professor Peter W Brunt's "Alternative Take" (9 October) in which he claims the evidence linking the price of alcohol with increased consumption is "compelling". A recent report by the Centre for Economic and Business Research, commissioned by Asda, concluded that a 50 per cent increase in alcohol duty would be required to deliver a 2 per cent reduction in demand.

As a major retailer, we accept we have a responsibility to help tackle this issue. Over the past 18 months we have introduced 22 measures to combat alcohol misuse. We have also delisted products commonly linked with certain types of misuse, and stopped selling alcohol between midnight and 6am in 100 of our town centre stores to prevent people trying to buy more alcohol after pubs and clubs have closed.

However, we believe our customers are entitled to the best possible value across our store. Evidence that falsely inflating prices to try to prevent heavy drinkers from consuming too much is far from compelling, andthis approach risks punishing the majority who drink safely and in moderation.

DOMINIC BURCH
Head of corporate communications, Asda
Great Wilson Street
Leeds