One of the ways in which I contribute to the local community is as a magistrate - it lets me see first-hand the devastating effects alcohol can have on people’s lives.

When it comes to crimes such as theft, driving offences, public order disturbances or increasingly common domestic violence, alcohol is usually a contributing factor. Indeed, for many defendants, a dependency on alcohol is motivation for committing even more offences.

Of course, there are plenty of ways in which the court system tries to help these people from reoffending and there are successes, but unfortunately for many, the way forward lies at the bottom of another bottle.

Acres of media coverage given over to the government’s plans for minimum alcohol pricing have centred on the effects of alcohol on the health of the nation, and quite rightly so.

But I am with the sceptics regarding the effectiveness of such a policy. People will adjust to the higher price and continue to drink. The drinks industry’s challenge to the government is that it is embarking on a plan that is flawed and not based on any credible evidence.

“People will adjust to the higher price and continue to drink alcohol”

I am aware that several European and North American governments exercise control over the sale, and therefore pricing, of alcohol to the public through state-run shops, with the only exemption being some low-alcohol beers. It would be interesting to hear whether there’s any hard evidence these controls work and have contributed to lower levels of crime, or even better health for citizens, compared to our experiences over here.

There is no doubt that alcohol is cheap in the UK as a result partly of promotions and the fact it is freely available to buy. There was a time when it was sold from behind a counter in supermarkets and through a limited number of specialist outlets, but whether this limited consumption is debatable. One thing is certain: these days, retailers want a wines and spirits licence because it drives footfall.

I have never been a supporter of banning products or restricting people from purchasing what they want. I am not convinced an increase in cost would dissuade people from drinking. Just look at the huge increases in cigarette prices and the relatively small impact on consumption. There would be revolution in the UK before the public would accept alcohol increases on that scale!

Education and clear, concise information on the product and at the point of sale is important so people can make an informed decision. Above all, society and business should be tasked with being more proactive in educating the public around the risks of alcohol for their health - and in some cases, their lives.

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