A national pub chain has come under fire for dropping the price of a pint to just 99p, amid claims it will encourage the “national sport” that is binge drinking.
While JD Wetherspoon announces indefinite reductions on alcoholic drinks to cash-strapped customers, Dr Tom Heller, a Senior Lecturer with The Open University’s Faculty of Health and Social Care, says it’s an irresponsible and unimaginative offer.
He said: “Well, what could be more fun than drinking more and more while getting increasingly incoherent before loosing some or all of your faculties and falling over or humiliating yourself in a hundred other public ways?
“Binge drinking to the point of virtual unconsciousness seems to have become a national sport and the subject of discussion and banter weeks or years later amongst the protagonists and witnesses to the event. And, of course, the cheaper the alcohol the more likely an inevitably humiliating outcome becomes.
Important social function
“Pubs serve an important social function and often are an established focal point for their local communities. But they are now in rapid decline with the credit crunch and the easy availability of alternative sources of alcohol and entertainment being blamed.
“As a response publicans are seeking ways to boost the number of customers through their doors… some are increasing the range of the entertainment on offer, or making very cheap meals available.
“It does seem irresponsible, not to say rather unimaginative and short sighted, to be offering cheep booze when there is so much evidence to demonstrate the harmful effects of binge drinking.
“Most public health professionals would be in favour of supporting the survival of local pubs, but not if they persist in encouraging irresponsible or excessive alcohol consumption.”
Detrimental to health
JD Wetherspoon, already known for its cheap drinks and meals and music-less venues, operates 713 pubs across the UK.
The charity Alcohol Concern says the pub chains plans to price drinks at the level they were back in 1989 could encourage people to drink more and be detrimental to their health. The number of alcohol-related hospital admissions continues to rise with the treatment of of drink-related illnesses costing the NHS £2.7 billion a year.
Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, told the BBC that the 99p pricing applied to just one brand of beer in one chain of bars.
Customers could stay at home and drink beer from supermarkets much more cheaply, whereas pubs offered a more responsible environment, he said. "We are trying to stay in business, keep jobs in our sector and compete in a very competitive market," he added.
Useful links
- Study with the OU – Introducing health sciences: a case study approach
- Study with the OU – Understanding health
- Alcohol Concern
- British Beer & Pub Association
Picture credit: L Plate Big Cheese