Sir,– Increasing the price of alcohol may decrease the use of alcohol but at what cost? The significant increase in price may push people away from consumption of alcohol – a well-regulated product – toward cheaper, illegal recreational drugs which are unregulated and more dangerous to the health of the consumer. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN
O’SULLIVAN,
Killorglin,
Co Kerry.
Sir, – Prof Frank Murray, in sharing his knowledge on behalf of the Alcohol Health Alliance, mentions Scotland as an example for us to follow.
"New alcohol prices will save lives," he proclaims on your Opinion page (January 3rd).
The introduction of minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland was followed by an alarming increase in deaths from drug abuse.
Scotland had 1,339 drug-related deaths in 2020, and the upward trend continues.
We must now brace ourselves for the same. – Yours, etc,
KIERAN FAGAN,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.