THE people of the North-East are being asked their views on alcohol today in what is thought to be the biggest public health debate ever to be held in the region.

Drinkers and non-drinkers alike are being asked to take part in the North-East Big Drink Debate, which is launched today by Balance, the North-East alcohol office, and supported by The Northern Echo.

It aims to assess the impact of booze on the region – and to draw up a strategy to encourage us to drink less.

The debate aims to provide a comprehensive study of the region’s attitudes towards, and relationships with, alcohol by encouraging members of the public to fill in a questionnaire, available at northeastbigdrinkdebate.org.uk

Balance has already said it wants to see a review of alcohol pricing, a clamp-down on the availability of drink for under-18s and the end to promotions which encourage excessive drinking.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: “The North- East Big Drink Debate is about capturing the region’s relationship with and attitude towards alcohol.

“To do this successfully we need to encourage people from all walks of life with all sorts of relationships with, and attitudes towards, alcohol.”

The questionnaire will be printed in The Northern Echo tomorrow and distributed on high streets across the region over the next six weeks.

It is anonymous and asks why people do or don’t drink, how many units they consume over a typical week, where they purchase alcohol and what situations would make them reduce their consumption.

A recent report highlighted that the North-East has the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions in the country.

Alcohol can also lead to crime and the fear of crime.

Between April and December 2008, the three North-East police forces dealt with more than 4,500 domestic incidents that were alcohol-related.

Passers-by will be asked to fill in the questionnaire in Newcastle city centre and in Darlington Market Square today.

Shoppers can take a seat at the Balance alcoholfree bar to meet some of the region’s experts on alcohol.

Alan Hogg, chief brewer at the Yard of Ale Brewery and landlord at the Surtees Arms in Ferryhill, County Durham, said: “I would disagree with any suggestion of increases in the price of alcohol.

“The majority of bingedrinking incidents are based around young people drinking, it’s the old cliché of under-18s drinking cheap cider on street corners.

“But it’s supermarkets where they get the cheap drink, not pubs.”

Lee Le Clercq, regional secretary of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “We fully support what Balance are doing. We are encouraged that they are asking us for our views.”