CAN IT! Supermarkets are blasted for sellingfour cans of lager for just 91 PENCE.

Byline: Lachlan Mackinnon 

SUPERMARKET giants have been accused of encouraging binge drinking by flogging four cans of lager for less than a quid.

A Daily Record survey of Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons found they were all selling four own-brand cans of lager for 91p - less than 23p per tin.

Last night, politicians condemned the stores for giving problem drinkers the chance to buy dirt cheap booze.

For an extra 30p, shoppers could bag pounds 1.21 two-litre bottles of cider in Tesco, Sainsbury'sandAsda.

Morrisons offered a bargainbasement three-litre bottle of cider for just pounds 2.73.

The promotions come despite increased concern at Scotland's chronic alcohol abuse problem and its impact on the nation's healthandcrimerate.

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "Supermarkets that sell lager more cheaply than water need to understand they are behaving irresponsibly and letting Scotlanddown.

Vegetables

"I want to see low prices on staples like fruit and vegetables to attract customers through the doors and help hard-pressed families, notcut price cider."

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the Record investigation added weight to plans for minimum pricing.

She said: "It's the cheap, highstrength white ciders and lagers and low-grade spirits favoured by problem drinkers that would see their prices rise under minimum pricing - not the sensibly priced productsfavouredbythe majority."

Bottles of own-brand vodka were up for grabs for pounds 7.48 in Tesco and Sainsbury's, pounds 8.36 in Asda and pounds 8.38 inMorrisons.

The case for mininum pricing for alcohol received a major boost yesterday when the plan was backed by delegates at the Scottish conference of the Faculty of Public Health.

Convenor Dr Emilia Crighton said: "One in 20 deaths in Scotland is attributable to alcohol.

"There is an overwhelming case cheap drink damages Scotland's health record. As prices have dropped, consumption has risen. Alcohol is 70 per cent more affordable thanin 1980.

"Over the same period, consumption has increased by around 20 per cent. That is why tackling price is important. We therefore call on the Scottish parliament to legislate forminimumpricing."

But an Asda spokesman said: "Our customers are already feeling the pinch during the recession and the last thing they need is higher prices, particularly when shopping onlowandfixedincomes.

"We don't believe the responsible majority should be penalised due to the behaviour of an irresponsibleminority."

A Sainsbury spokeswoman said: "Sainsbury's takes its responsibilities as a licensed retailer very seriously. The vast majority of our customers drink responsibly."

BIG 4 PRICE WAR BEGINS

THE supermarket festive price war has begun early this year.

The big four - Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's - have slashed prices on yuletide must-haves to lure in savvy Christmas shoppers looking to stock up on early bargains.

And they hope to entice shoppers who would normally head to the nowdefunct Woolworths and Zavvi.

Retail expert Patricia Davidson, of price guide thesiteguide.com, said: "There are some great bargains at the moment and they're going to get better and better.

"All the supermarkets are going to be competing like mad after the problems of the last year.

They're all watching each other and price-matching and consumers are going to benefit greatly from it.

"I would urge customers to also shop online. You beat the crowds."

CAPTION(S):

PROMOTIONS: A selection of the cheap alcohol on sale