MUP
“unpopular with the public”

One factor which is bound to weigh heavily with politicians is that, while the results of opinion surveys have been mixed, the overall impression is that the public are generally sceptical that MUP is a good idea.

A recent study*, based on focus group discussions with participants representative of the UK population, found little evidence to suggest that people would support the introduction of MUP. Some of the views expressed were simply based on misinformation, such as the belief that MUP is just an additional tax under another name, but it was scepticism about the effectiveness of the policy that appeared to be the biggest barrier to public support.

Participants thought it unlikely that MUP would have any lasting, significant impact on either alcohol consumption or the associated harm. They believed that MUP would not work for heavy or problem drinkers, who would just continue drinking as before, or who might be driven to commit crime to get the extra money needed to drink, and that MUP would boost alternative sources of alcohol such as home brewing.

Participants were also inclined to think that MUP penalised moderate drinkers and the poor. Participants generally expressed some qualified support for the intentions behind the policy of MUP but believed it would only work as part of a wider campaign including other educational elements.

The researchers concluded that clearer educational messages are needed to dispel misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of MUP, and that introducing MUP as part of a package of wider initiatives to address excess alcohol consumption might be the best way to attract public support.

*Lonsdale, A J; Hardcastle, S J; Hagger, M S:
A minimum price per unit of alcohol: A focus group study to investigate public opinion concerning UK government proposals to introduce new price controls to curb alcohol consumption.
BMC Public Health, 23 November 2012