16 Feb 2012

PM against binge drinking

8:40 am on 16 February 2012

Binge drinking in England is coming under fresh scrutiny. Prime Minister David Cameron has called for bars, supermarkets and the drinks industry to do more to help ensure responsible drinking.

On a visit to a hospital in the north-east, he promised to tackle the "scandal" of drunkenness and alcohol abuse that costs the NHS £2.7 billion per year.

He suggested the use of "drunk tanks", cells to house people overnight while they sober up.

The government will publish an alcohol strategy for England later this year.

The BBC reports a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price - less than the tax paid on it - will be introduced in England and Wales from 6 April.