The BBC reports that William Armstrong, the Greater Norfolk coroner, criticized supermarkets for selling alcohol cheaper than bottled water after a Norfolk man died after consuming as little as £10 worth of alcohol.
Tests showed Roger Prosser, 64, had a level of almost 500 milligrams of alcohol in his blood; the legal limit for drivers is 80.
"The huge amount that he drank could have been purchased at a supermarket for around £10. It is alarming that alcohol can be purchased at supermarkets at a price less than bottled water,” Armstrong said. "One of the witnesses said told me that wine and cider were Mr. Prosser’s poison—sadly that proved to be literally as well as metaphorically true."
Earlier this week, the Government unveiled new measures to cut down on irresponsible drinking in England and Wales, including a ban on all-you-can-drink promotions and a move to force bars and pubs to offer smaller glasses of wine.
The Conservatives have also promised to review the "open all hours" policy introduced by the Government.
However, moves in Scotland to set a minimum price for alcohol in supermarkets—which offer lager for as little as 25p a can and wine for £2.50 a bottle—have faltered.
Armstrong first attacked low-price drink offers last July after he dealt with three inquests into alcohol-related deaths. At the time, he said: "The cost of alcohol is a factor – because it is so cheap it is not a costly business to get drunk. It has become an entrenched part of our culture not just among the young but older people as well.”
"In my role I deal with death and disaster every day but I am still surprised and shocked by the extent of excessive alcohol consumption going on and the effect it is having—it is a major public health problem."
This week’s hearing in Norwich into the death of Prosser, who lived in Loddon, Norfolk, was told that he had been a heavy drinker for more than 30 years.
Armstrong said: "A substantial number of deaths are now linked to alcohol abuse—and there is a relationship between the cost of alcohol and the damage that abuse causes. Doing something about this should be a priority."
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