Alcohol tax could reduce A&E visits, study suggests

A study conducted by Cardiff University has concluded that the introduction a small alcohol tax could cut the number of A&E visits caused by major injuries by over 6,000 per year.

The study recommended that putting in place a duty of one per cent above inflation on drinks sold in shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants could be more effective than introducing a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

The study examined data for adults who had visited 100 A&E departments across Wales and England between 2005 and 2012. If found that nearly 300,000 visits were made to the departments for injuries caused by violence, 75 per cent of which were men aged 18-30.

The figures also suggested that lower alcohol prices in shops, bars and restaurants were linked to more attendances at A&E. The finding held true even after poverty, differences in household income and time of year were taken into account.

The report concluded that a one per cent rise in tax on alcohol could save more 6,000 A&E visits per year, while a one per cent drop in poverty could result in 18,000 fewer violence related A&E visits.