Urgent action needed to curb alcohol-related woes

WE at alcoholresponse.com deplore the lack of changes in excise duty on alcohol in the budget.

This is disturbing, but sadly understandable as a finance-generating exercise.

However, this does not make the move excusable, health-wise. Alarmingly, the budgetary move lacks provision for effective action to counter the inevitable increase in problem drinking which will result. Many experts are already expressing concern about the increase of home drinking due to the financial downturn.