Gordon Brown today rejected controversial proposals from the chief medical officer to establish a minimum price for alcohol, which would double the price of many beers and spirits.

The prime minister said that he would protect the interests of the "sensible majority of moderate drinkers" when responding to proposals from Sir Liam Donaldson for a minimum charge of 50p per unit of alcohol to be imposed on beer and wine.

At a news conference this morning in Downing Street, Brown said that the government had already taken action to tackle binge drinking and underage drinking. But he said that it was also important "to take action that is properly targeted and effective".

The prime minister went on: "We do not want the responsible, sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a small minority. And that's the context in which we look at the problems that the chief medical officer has raised."

Brown spoke out as Donaldson was explaining his plans, which were first reported in the papers yesterday, at the publication of his annual report. Although the government will respond formally to Donaldson at a later date, Brown's comments made it clear that the proposal as it stands has no chance of being adopted.

The Scottish government is planning to introduce minimum prices for alcohol and these could come into force by the end of the year. It would make Scotland the first country in Europe to introduce minimum pricing, which would be accompanied by a ban on certain drinks promotions.

A Commons committee is to investigate the price of alcohol as part of a wider inquiry and call for evidence from Scotland. Labour MP Kevin Barron, the chairman of the Commons health committee, said the idea at least deserved consideration even if it proved unpopular with voters.

The proposals for England and Wales, which are backed by health professionals but opposed by drink manufacturers, could double the cost of some beverages sold as "loss leaders" by supermarkets.

It would double the cost of a £10 pack of lager, nearly double the cost of a bottle of vodka to £20 and set the minimum price for a bottle of wine at £4.50.

The Department of Health indicated yesterday there was little prospect of the proposal being adopted in England while households were being squeezed by the recession.

Nuffield, the UK's leading health charity, backed the proposal, saying increasing prices was the most effective way of cutting consumption.

Drink-related illnesses cost the NHS £3bn a year, while the total expense to the taxpayer of alcohol misuse is thought to be £25bn a year.

But there was also strong opposition to the idea from those who argue that responsible drinkers would be punished for the misbehaviour of a few.

David Poley, the chief executive of the Portman Group, set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, said: "This would hit the pockets of hard-working families who are already struggling to make ends meet, and it would not deter those people who drink to get drunk."

Jeremy Beadles, the chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, which represents wine and spirits producers and wholesalers, said: "It is worrying that, in the midst of a recession when sales and consumption of alcohol are falling, that the government should be talking about raising prices for all consumers at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet."

James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary, said yesterday the government would not punish the responsible majority of drinkers.

He told the BBC1's Politics Show: "We want to focus on the irresponsible minority rather than I think punishing everyone equally. Clearly we will look at Sir Liam Donaldson's proposals. He's a very eminent person in his field.

"But we are very clear we don't want to punish the majority for the sins of the minority. I think certainly at a time of economic difficulty that looks like it would be the effect.

"We need to look at the proposals but we are saying we have no intention of going ahead with something that would punish the responsible majority."

The shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, said: "Sir Liam Donaldson's report is a frank admission that the government's alcohol strategy has failed. The government's response to his report is another example of Labour's confusion and incoherence.

"If there was an ounce of leadership from Labour ministers on this issue there would be no need for Liam Donaldson to try his shock tactics to kick-start government policy."

He also made it clear that the Tories had no intention of putting the chief medical officer's proposal into practice.

He added: "There is clearly a need for action. But it is very important to recognise that to deal with this problem we need to deal with people's attitudes and not just the supply and price of alcohol.

"Our proposals, which include measures to tackle loss-leader promotions and higher taxes on high-alcohol drinks aimed at young people, would address this without penalising the majority of moderate drinkers. This would seem to be a much better route to go down than distorting the whole drinks market."

The Liberal Democrats also said that "ridiculously" cheap alcohol was contributing to the problem of binge-drinking and called on the government to act.

How prices may rise

Stella Artois 10 x 440ml cans (2.25 units per can): £8.99 (Threshers)

Proposed minimum price: £11.20 (£1.12 per can)

Bottle of Imperial Vodka 70cl (27 units): £8.99

Proposed price: £13.50

Bottle of Jacob's Creek Shiraz (9.4 units): £6.99

Proposed price: £4.70

Bacardi Breezer Raspberry 4x 275ml bottles (1.5 units each): £2.78 (Tesco)

Proposed price: £3

Strongbow Cider two litre bottle (10 units): £2.70 (Tesco)

Proposed price: £5