The experience of a Canadian province, released in the journal Addiction, is the first to examine the effectiveness of setting minimum prices as a means of curbing alcohol consumption.

New data published in the journal showed that people drunk 3.4 percent less alcohol overall every time the minimum price on beer and other drinks was increased by 10 per cent.

“This is significant information for policies to prevent the substantial toll of death, injury and illness associated with hazardous alcohol use,” said researcher Tim Stockwell.

“Our results support having a standard minimum price per standard drink for all alcoholic beverages as a cornerstone of alcohol problem prevention.”

The research comes after David Cameron’s calls for the government to explore the possibility of introducing minimum pricing in England to curb binge drinking.

Scotland has already pushed ahead with minimum pricing and the Prime Minister has reportedly ordered officials to develop a scheme that would make it illegal for alcohol to be sold below 40p or 50p per unit, in a move to curb the cheapest deals in supermarkets.

The proposal could be included in the Government’s new alcohol strategy, which is due to be published in early 2012.
The department for Business, Innovation and Skills had previously warned that minimum pricing could fall foul of European competition laws.