The British government should set a minimum price for alcohol and consider an advertising ban to reduce alcohol abuse, which kills thousands of Britons a year, the country's health cost watchdog has said.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which advises on the cost effectiveness of health measures, said setting a minimum price per unit would help "offset some of the serious social, economic and physical health problems that arise as a consequence of drinking too much".

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said he had yet to be convinced on minimum pricing, but the government was determined to stop supermarkets selling alcohol below cost price and to introduce tougher licensing laws.

"It is not clear that the research examines specifically the regressive effect (of minimum pricing) on low income families, or proves conclusively that it is the best way to impact price in order to impact demand," he said in a statement.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown rejected a call from Britain's chief medical officer in March last year to set a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcoho- a level which would nearly double the price of some cheap beers and wines.

Health ministers from around the world have agreed to try to curb binge drinking and excessive alcohol intake through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing rules.