Cameron's minimum alcohol price plans to outlaw cheap drinks are 'dead in the water' A minister said rise would be 'inconceivable' when cost of living will be issue at next election Price of can of strong lager would begin at £1.56 and a bottle of wine cost at least £4.22 David Cameron wants to outlaw selling alcohol at less than 45p a unit Plans for a minimum price on alcohol are expected to be ditched in the face of a Cabinet revolt. David Cameron has insisted on pressing ahead with proposals to outlaw selling alcohol at less than 45p a unit in England and Wales. But sources say the idea appears "dead in the water," thanks to opposition from ministers. Economists predict the plans could push the average family drinks bill up by almost £100 a year. One minister said such a rise would be "inconceivable" when cost of living is expected to be an issue at the next election. The minister added: "It would be political suicide and it will have to be abandoned." Senior figures are now said to be pushing alternative plans to increase duty on high alcohol products and supermarket deals. The Home Office concluded a consultation on the 45p minimum unit price last month, and will set out its plans before May. It would mean a can of strong lager could not be sold for less than £1.56 and a bottle of wine for less than £4.22. Yesterday the Alcohol Health Alliance, a coalition of medical organisations, insisted a minimum price should be set still higher, at 50p. There are doubts that a price of 45p would be high enough to have much deterrent effect, something likely to be cited if the Government does formally ditch the plans. The group also called for a third of the label on all cans and bottles of alcohol to be given over to health warnings, a ban on all alcohol advertising and sponsorship and sales of alcohol in supermarkets to be restricted to certain hours of the day. It also suggested the drink-drive limit should fall to 50mg per 100ml of blood - meaning drivers could consume no more than a single pint of beer. Mr Cameron has argued that minimum pricing will reduce the consumption of super-strength ciders, cheap vodka and special brew lagers. The Cabinet insists it would be disastrous to penalise hard-working people who drink responsibly (posed) But critics say it will increase the price of drink for ordinary consumers at a time of austerity. And much of the Cabinet insists it would be disastrous to penalise hard-working people who drink responsibly. The coalition has already raised tax on beer with an alcohol content of over 7.5 per cent, and senior figures believe it is possible to extend that approach to target particular drinks rather than hitting all drinkers. Charities claim super-strong beers are causing more damage to vulnerable people than heroin or crack cocaine. The Government's alcohol strategy, developed by the Home Office, outlines proposals to ban buy-one-get-one-free alcohol deals and other bulk discounts. There are new powers for hospitals swamped with drunks to shut down pubs and clubs causing trouble, a late-night levy on licensed premises to pay for extra policing in rowdy town centres, and an industry push to reduce alcohol content. Ministers understood to have expressed doubts about introducing a minimum price include senior Lib Dems, Michael Gove, Eric Pickles, Theresa May and Andrew Lansley. Mr Lansley, the Leader of the Commons, has said: "It is more likely to have a bigger proportionate impact on responsible drinkers who happen to be low-income households." Other ministers warn it would be absurd to introduce a lower minimum price than is being introduced in Scotland, where a 50p threshold is being looked at. That could lead to a rush of cross-border sales, they argue.