Supermarkets are selling beer at a cheaper price than water, fuelling concern over their role in Britain's binge-drinking crisis.

 

Despite repeated public health warnings, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda now offer lager at just 22p a can - less per litre than their ownbrand-mineral water and cola, and cheap enough to allow someone to get drunk for just £1.

 

An investigation by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered a fierce alcohol price war between the major supermarkets.

 

Lager is now so cheap that the stores pay more in excise duties than they charge at the till.

 

When production costs and overheads are taken into account, experts estimate shops are losing up to 8p a can.

 

Public-health bodies, doctors and MPs were furious when confronted with the findings.

 

Don Shenker, director of policy for Alcohol Concern, said: "There is no justification for the sale of lager at such a ridiculously low price.

 

"The fact that it is cheaper than their own brand of cola per litre is appalling.

 

Do you think this is correct? Should Alcohol be cheaper than bottled water or cola?

 

If the shops have proper safeguards and check ID then chavs wouldn't be able to buy them at any price let alone 22p so don't see what difference it makes tbh

 

If the shops have proper safeguards and check ID then chavs wouldn't be able to buy them at any price let alone 22p so don't see what difference it makes tbh

 

Yes.. but the thing is Craig that it isn't just "Chavs" who drink.

 

22p for a Can of Beer is disgracefull -_- This just gives more inscentive to Alcoholics to get drunk doesn't it? A Drunk can now just walk into a shop and get a 4 pack for a £1. It's gives out a bad example to Kids (Yes... Chavs ans well ;) ) AND recovering Alcoholics.

Yes.. but the thing is Craig that it isn't just "Chavs" who drink.

 

22p for a Can of Beer is disgracefull -_- This just gives more inscentive to Alcoholics to get drunk doesn't it? A Drunk can now just walk into a shop and get a 4 pack for a £1. It's gives out a bad example to Kids (Yes... Chavs ans well ;) ) AND recovering Alcoholics.

Yeah but its going to be the "chavs" in 90% of cases who are going to buy this.

 

I can't imagine how bad this "22p" Beer tastes. :mellow:

As long as someone is over the age of 18 then why should the government be allowed to price fix alcohol??? Individuals are responsible for their own health and a nanny state should not be allowed to dictate to someone what they can and can't do, this lager is obviously making a profit at this price and being taxed too, so it is a commercial decision at what price supermarkets sell it and if it was found they were fixing prices they would be fined and possibly face criminal charges

Morrisons cares enough 2 sell its beer at slightly more than that :magic:

If someone wants to get drunk, chances are they'll do it anyway, they'll just waste more of their income doing it.

As long as someone is over the age of 18 then why should the government be allowed to price fix alcohol??? Individuals are responsible for their own health and a nanny state should not be allowed to dictate to someone what they can and can't do, this lager is obviously making a profit at this price and being taxed too, so it is a commercial decision at what price supermarkets sell it and if it was found they were fixing prices they would be fined and possibly face criminal charges

 

 

But they are not making a profit they are selling it at a loss, just to get people in the stores, with the hope they will buy something else, like more alcohol probably :naughty:

To be honest, if you're willing to put such $h!te in your body as value alcohol then you have issues. It's probably worse than that White Lightening jazz.

Edited November 13, 200717 yr by Destiny Line

Chances are if they are selling at a loss they'll put the price up or just stop selling it. I can't see it being a big hit TBH!

Edited November 13, 200717 yr by Daylight Dancer

own brand stuff is rather popular actually ;)

own brand stuff is rather popular actually ;)

 

I too have seen own brands be a hit, especially around Sinfin where all the council kids live (off benifits).

all the students in st andrews buy own brand c**p.

 

well the ones that aren't their on mummy and daddy's money (i.e. the more local students)

As long as someone is over the age of 18 then why should the government be allowed to price fix alcohol??? Individuals are responsible for their own health and a nanny state should not be allowed to dictate to someone what they can and can't do, this lager is obviously making a profit at this price and being taxed too, so it is a commercial decision at what price supermarkets sell it and if it was found they were fixing prices they would be fined and possibly face criminal charges

 

I agree with this

 

Putting up the price of alcohol is not the answer

 

Why should 100% of drinkers be penalised and be priced out of having a drink because of the fact that 5% can't handle their drink and act like c**ts ? I don't want to pay through the nose for a drink because someone else can't handle theirs

 

The answer is stiffer penalties for drink related crime with HUGE fines for anti social drunken behaviour

how will putting up the price deter drinkers?... theyll just get more money...

I agree with this

 

Putting up the price of alcohol is not the answer

 

Why should 100% of drinkers be penalised and be priced out of having a drink because of the fact that 5% can't handle their drink and act like c**ts ? I don't want to pay through the nose for a drink because someone else can't handle theirs

 

The answer is stiffer penalties for drink related crime with HUGE fines for anti social drunken behaviour

 

And as always putting up the price of something only affects the poor, if you really wanted to limit alcohol consumption you would need a system where people paid a percentage of what they earned to buy alcohol, after all the rich can be abusive alcoholics too.

 

That may sound stupid but at least it would be fair, and affect every individual in our society equally