Cheap booze ban ‘will 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.
