Last updated 11:23, Thursday, 27 November 2008

Just as many of us are stocking up on alcohol in order to enjoy a tipple during the festive season, the biggest ever survey on alcohol in the north west has been published.

Aside from the questionable timing, the Big Drink Debate survey reveals some interesting attitudes, with a massive 80 per cent of respondents saying they believe that low prices and discounts increase people’s drinking.

There is no doubt the county has its share of alcohol-related problems, and the idea that cheap alcohol is to blame has been hotly debated.

The Home Affairs Select Committee has urged ministers to clamp down on irresponsible bars, pubs and retail outlets, and an end to happy hours has been called for.

John Ashton, Cumbria’s director of public health, has said the alcohol industry needs to wake up and accept its share of responsibility, and that it has come to the point where we should stop selling alcohol in supermarkets, only in proper, regulated off-licences.

The Big Drink Debate, launched earlier this year, is the largest research study ever undertaken in the region and the direction we take from here is crucial, because any future strategies must be realistic and properly targeted.

Implementing a complete ban on discounted alcohol will affect responsible people who enjoy a drink, and why should they be penalised?