Beer is too cheap in the Netherlands and therefore there should be a minimum rise. The introduction of such a minimum price could drastically reduce alcohol abuse, says STAP, Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy.
Supermarkets like crazy stunts with beer on the shelves, almost every week you can find something on sale. A crate of beer of 24 bottles you buy these days for less than five euros, or 20 cents per bottle. "That's really ridiculous prices," said Wim van Dalen, director of STAP.
The low prices attract young people and problem drinkers and generate alcoholism, crime and absenteeism in hand. This can be prevented by the introduction of a minimum price on alcohol, said STEP. To underpin the necessity brings the results of six recent studies out: showing that setting a minimum price is the best solution.
Against the legislation
Such support is necessary because a minimum price set is not in accordance with European regulations. But a Scottish judge ruled in late December last year that that legislation could be circumvented if there is sufficient evidence that setting a minimum price has a greater effect on health than the increase of excise duty on alcohol.
Moreover, higher taxes do work shown by research conducted by RIVM , but the problem is that retailers excise do not always pass on to customers. They use cheap beer as a means to lure people into the store. Therefore, a minimum price would be more effective, because it has to be passed.
Based on alcohol content
If there is a minimum price would have to get there before all the alcohol in both the supermarket and the catering industry. The price should then be based on the percentage of alcohol: a crate of beer in the supermarket is that out of around 8.50 euros, or 35 cents a bottle.
Politicians must finally decide whether the minimum is actually coming.
More sales supermarkets
For shops would be a minimum be a problem, according to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2010. It was shown that although selling less beer supermarkets in such a scenario, but at a higher price, thus their turnover ultimately higher.
Brewers respond being mixed. Bavaria has announced not to be happy with "the high promotion push crates of beer in supermarkets, because it does not benefit the image of the brand. "In a highly competitive beer market, we are compelled as a relatively small player (in part) to go along with that," a spokesperson. For this problem a minimum price could be a solution. Grolsch said "reasons of principle" to be at the fixed price.
By Editors RTL News: Photo: Reuters
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