BLAMING a binge drinking culture on the cost of alcohol alone is too simplistic, according to Tesco chiefs.
On Friday the supermarket giant said it was willing to talk but said ministers must initiate and lead the discussions or retailers risk falling foul of competition legislation which prevents discussion of prices between businesses.
Executive director for corporate and legal affairs, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, pictured, said: "Binge drinking and other alcohol-related social problems are a serious concern to us all, but it is far too simplistic to apportion responsibility for this on price alone.
"If low-cost alcohol were the only factor then countries such as France and Spain, where prices are much lower than in the UK, would have similar problems and countries like Finland, where alcohol is expensive and its availability restricted, would not."
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