It was a proposal that attracted the predictable response that it wouldn't work, it couldn't be enforced. But, slowly, more people are agreeing that a way will have to be found to introduce and police minimum pricing for alcohol.
Six public health directors in north east England are the latest to join the growing chorus calling for minimum pricing per unit of alcohol.
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, signed by five others, they describe the effect of alcohol in the North East as "devastating". To read the letter in full, click on the embedded link and scroll to "Booze-blighted region".
The health chiefs point out that research by the North East Alcohol Office found that drink was available in the region for as little as 12p per unit. A two litre bottle of cider cost less than a loaf of bread.
The Conservatives indicated at its party conference last autumn that it was prepared to double the tax on super-strength lagers and ciders should they be elected to power.
It was a statement that drew praise from London homelessness charity Thames Reach, which has been campaigning for aeons to tackle the damage caused by these brain-deadening drinks.
A major source of cheap booze is supermarkets. Sadly, some of them cannot be trusted to police themselves.
Yesterday, again in the Daily Telegraph, it was reported that, despite the calls to end special deals, supermarkets are in fact offering more discounts on alcohol.
The British Retail Consortium claims that heavy drinking is a "cultural" issue and that its members are offering "value" to customers. Perhaps not to the NHS or charities such as Thames Reach, though.
The signatories to the letter in the Daily Telegraph point out that a unit price of 50p equates to a minimum of about £1.50 for a pint in the pub (a true indicator that they live in the North East) or £4.50 for a supermarket bottle of wine.
It's not too much to ask, is it?
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