Base price for booze suggested

英欲設酒最低價引爭議

The ten local authorities in and around Manchester, England hope to pass a by-law that would set a minimum price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol, in an attempt to end the cheap deals blamed for drink-fueled disorder and health problems, the Daily Telegraph of London reported. The idea has been pioneered by a group which says North West England has one of the worst alcohol problems in the country. However, beverage companies and retailers were appalled by the idea and warned that any attempt to impose a minimum price would be illegal, as it would contravene national and European competition rules.

據英國《每日電訊報》報道，為終止因酗酒引發社會秩序失控和健康問題而備受爭議的廉價酒銷售，英國曼徹斯特地區以及周圍的10個地方政府近日希望通過一項法規細則，給酒精飲料限價不低于每單位50便士。該想法源于一個活動組織，該組織表示英格蘭西北部是全國酗酒問題最糟糕的地區之一。但是這一舉動驚動了酒業公司和零售商，他們警告說任何試圖限價的做法都是違法的，因為這與英國乃至歐洲的競爭規則相抵觸。

*以上新聞由ChinaDaily雙語手機報提供