POLICY Price Discounts on Alcohol in a City in Northern England

Aims: To describe the extent and nature of price discounts on alcohol in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Methods: An observational survey in stores licensed for off-sales in December 2010 to January 2011. Results: A total of 2018 price discounts in 29 stores led to a median saving of 25% and required a median purchase of 20 standard UK alcohol units. Median price per standard unit was £0.92 (US$1.49; €1.05) before discount and £0.68 (US$1.10; €0.78) after discount. Conclusions: Restriction of price dis- counting should be considered as a public health policy.