Drugs: Classification Debate

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Department: Home Office

Drugs: Classification

Earl of Listowel Excerpts
Tuesday 9th November 2010

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Neville-Jones Portrait Baroness Neville-Jones
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My Lords, I accept the trend of that comment from the noble Lord. It is indeed the case that tobacco is harmful, as he has just said. I think the House would agree that alcohol taken in moderation is not so harmful.

Earl of Listowel Portrait The Earl of Listowel
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My Lords, I thank the Minister and her colleagues for examining policy in this area, but will they consider very carefully the pricing of alcohol, particularly in consideration of the young people who binge drink and the association of criminality with the heavy intake of alcohol? Pricing might discourage that.

Baroness Neville-Jones Portrait Baroness Neville-Jones
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As the noble Earl may know, the Government are introducing policies that will prevent the sale of alcohol below cost, and will toughen the penalties for those who engage and persist in selling alcohol to underage consumers.