Cheap booze ban ‘will backfire’

WATCHDOGS yesterday said stopping shops from selling cheap booze would only backfire.

The Competition Authority said imposing minimum prices for drink would make alcohol more profitable for retailers and publicans — and consumers would suffer.

The claims were made yesterday in the authority’s response to a government consultation about tackling alcohol abuse. Campaigners said supermarkets were selling drink at a loss to boost business, but promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free were encouraging consumers to drink more than they should.