2 March 2009 SNP Alcohol Strategy

2 March 2009

Scottish Government's alcohol strategy unveiled

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Scotland's minority SNP government will introduce a new minimum price per alcohol unit, amid a raft of new measures to tackle alcohol abuse and related disturbances.

Ministers also plan to ban discount deals on alcohol, and introduce a 'polluter pays' Social Responsibility Fee.

The global aims of the Scottish government's strategy are to:

- reduce consumption of alcohol
- support for families and communities
- improve education and encourage 'positive attitudes' towards alcohol
- improve care and treatment to sufferers of alcohol-related illness

They will also impose tighter restrictions on retailers, by

- putting an end to two-for-one (or similar) promotions
- preventing the sale of alcohol as a loss leader
- introducing changes to the minimum age on a local basis in the off trade
- formulating a Social Responsibility Fee

SNP ministers backed down from raising the age to 21 across the off trade - but will create powers to allowing authorities to impose the higher age limit on a local basis, albeit only in the off trade. The proposed Social Responsibility Fee will require offending licensees to make mandatory financial contributions to combat trouble. The fee will not apply to small businesses where sale of alcohol is 'incidental to the main business', but the rest of the details remain undeveloped. The SNP say "we will establish, in 2009 mechanisms to allow key stakeholders to assist us in developing the detail of the Social Responsibility Fee."

They decided not to go ahead with proposals to introduce alcohol-only checkouts in supermarkets and shops, a measure that was deemed impractical during consultation with the alcohol trade.

Meanwhile, ministers want to use the existing licensing act to introduce the minimum price per unit of alcohol. The same law will also be modified to ban drinks offers such as buy one-get-one-free and prevent the use of alcohol as a "loss leader".

READ THE ALCOHOL STRATEGY

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Plummeting prices and aggressive promotion have led to a surge in consumption, causing and adding to health problems ranging from liver and heart diseases to diabetes, obesity, dementia and cancers.

"We have listened to those who responded to the consultation and modified our proposals where appropriate.

"But we remain determined to press ahead with tough policies to tackle alcohol misuse."

"This, in turn, has fuelled significant increases in deaths and illness."

The SNP have faced growing criticism over the late delivery of the new proposals, while the conservative party described the pricing plans as "horribly flawed".

Meanwhile, Labour opposition said the SNP risked creating 'an unworkable mess' when the plans are implemented.

The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals.

Other parties welcomed the focus on the reduction of access to alcohol and tighter regulation of 'loss-leading' in the off trade.

Paul Waterson, chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said: "Not only does the SLTA agree with minimum pricing, it's a view shared by licensed trade leaders from the rest of the UK and Ireland."

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, commented: "We particularly welcome its proposals on minimum price and promotions, as evidence shows that the increased affordability of alcohol is driving the damaging levels of consumption in Scotland."

Det Ch Supt John Carnochan, spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "Fundamentally, if you want to reduce violence then you need to reduce access to alcohol.

"We know that the group most at risk from violence is young males aged 10 -29, so if you limit access to alcohol in certain areas then it can only be a good thing, especially as it is done with local agreement and is locally relevant."

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "Change won't happen overnight. But the combined efforts of government, health and police services, the alcohol industry, licensed trade and the voluntary sector should ensure significantly fewer Scots' lives are affected by alcohol misuse."

Alcohol producers were less impressed, describing the policies as sensationalist measures that will heap further misery on a trade already in economic turmoil.

Benet Slay, Managing Director, Diageo Great Britain, said: "We all have a common goal in wanting to combat alcohol related issues in Scotland. However, we are extremely disappointed to see that Government has failed to listen to industry's concerns. It is still progressing with sensationalist policies rather than following evidence based ones that will target the minority of Scots that drink irresponsibly. That is short-term politics making a poor attempt at tackling a serious long-term problem."

The Coalition Against Raising the Drinking Age in Scotland (CARDAS) claimed that they had 'slammed' the government over its decision to provide discretionary powers to raise the minimum age to 21 at offending premises.

From: Night Online

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