WSTA condemns Scottish government over minimum alcohol pricing plans

26th November 2009, 11:44am

The WSTA has accused the Scottish Government of punishing Scottish consumers and businesses with its Alcohol Bill published today, whilst doing little to tackle the root causes of alcohol misuse.

The Bill aims to give ministers sweeping powers to impose minimum pricing, though it doesn't set a minimum price.

It seeks to ban all alcohol promotions in shops - a move which would outlaw mainstream discounts such as '3 for 2' wine deals.

It also proposes a new tax on local business with plans for a social responsibility levy on alcohol retailers, yet doesn't set a level or explain how it might work.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA, said: "The stance by opposition parties against minimum pricing is to be welcomed but this legislation contains other measures which are equally unwelcome and equally unlikely to address the root causes of alcohol misuse. Despite the fact that the Government's own figures show overall alcohol consumption in Scotland is falling, Ministers seem determined to pursue proposals which will hit innocent Scottish consumers and businesses.

"Scotland deserves better than a piece of legislation which fails to focus on the real issue. We wish to work with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to develop policies that address the problem of alcohol misuse, including rigorous enforcement of existing legislation, systematic education in schools and widespread introduction of Community Alcohol Partnerships proven to deliver results."

But Scotland's health secretary Nicola Sturgeon defended the bill adding that groups opposing the plans are ignoring the opinions of health experts: "It is simply inexcusable that opponents have chosen not even to listen to the evidence around minimum pricing during the Bill process.

"They have dismissed out of hand the advice of all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges of Nursing, Physicians, Surgeons and GPs, Faculty of Public Health, British Liver Trust, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and many others at the sharp end of dealing with alcohol misuse.

"While we have never said minimum pricing is a 'silver bullet', all the expert opinion agrees that is can have a major impact as part of our wider package of measures. By contrast, our opponents have failed to put forward any constructive alternatives."

Related Articles:

• 02 Sep 2010 - Minimum alcohol price for Scotland to be set at 45p
• 08 Jan 2010 - Westminster MPs echo Scotland's backing of minimum pricing for alcohol

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