Experts call for alcohol to be banned in supermarkets

STRIPPING alcohol from supermarket shelves could help to curb Britain’s drinking problem, according to scientists.

Researchers say policies to clamp down on problem drinking would work better if the UK moved to a radical Scandinavian-style system where booze is sold exclusively in off-licences.

Cardiff University experts made the case after their study found hiking alcohol prices in Scotland and Wales barely had any effect on consumption.

Making customers go to extra lengths to buy alcohol would remove the temptation to include booze on their weekly shopping lists, they said.

The study of 500,000 Brits suggested that alcohol consumption goes up when there are ‘buy one get one free’ deals on food in supermarkets.

Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost the NHS £3.5billion a year and there are fears consumption is on the rise due to ‘lockdown drinking’.

Under plans being drawn up by Matt Hancock’s Health Department, larger chains would need to disclose the amount of calories in every beer, wine and spirit ordered in their bars.

As well as details of how fattening the booze can be, the plans would additionally see labels include information on the dangers of drink-driving.