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| Drive to cut Scots alcohol abuse | Drive to cut Scots alcohol abuse |
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| Measures to tackle alcohol abuse, including minimum pricing and an end to heavy discounting, are to be enforced by the Scottish Government. | Measures to tackle alcohol abuse, including minimum pricing and an end to heavy discounting, are to be enforced by the Scottish Government. |
| Ministers said radical action was needed to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence and related health problems. | Ministers said radical action was needed to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence and related health problems. |
| However, plans to raise the age for buying drink from off-licences from 18 to 21 are thought unlikely to succeed. | However, plans to raise the age for buying drink from off-licences from 18 to 21 are thought unlikely to succeed. |
| The proposals form part of wide-ranging justice reforms being brought forward by the Holyrood administration. | The proposals form part of wide-ranging justice reforms being brought forward by the Holyrood administration. |
| Alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn every year in lost work days and health service costs, and the Scottish Government said it was now time to act. | Alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn every year in lost work days and health service costs, and the Scottish Government said it was now time to act. |
| It's not the shopkeeper's duty to police what people drink Linda WilliamsConvenience store manager | It's not the shopkeeper's duty to police what people drink Linda WilliamsConvenience store manager |
| The number of patients treated for drink problems in Scottish hospitals has reached an all-time high. | The number of patients treated for drink problems in Scottish hospitals has reached an all-time high. |
| Recent official figures revealed there were 42,430 alcohol-related discharges from hospitals in 2007-08, a 20% increase over five years. | Recent official figures revealed there were 42,430 alcohol-related discharges from hospitals in 2007-08, a 20% increase over five years. |
| However, opposition parties expressed concern that proposals prompted by such figures would be forced through, without proper debate.Ministers have rejected suggestions that minimum drink prices may breach competition law. | However, opposition parties expressed concern that proposals prompted by such figures would be forced through, without proper debate.Ministers have rejected suggestions that minimum drink prices may breach competition law. |
| There will also be a ban on two-for-one drinks promotions, while big retailers such as large nightclubs may have to contribute to the cost of policing. | There will also be a ban on two-for-one drinks promotions, while big retailers such as large nightclubs may have to contribute to the cost of policing. |
| The minority government still believes it is right to raise the off-licence purchase age, but has accepted there is not enough support for the plan in the Scottish Parliament. | The minority government still believes it is right to raise the off-licence purchase age, but has accepted there is not enough support for the plan in the Scottish Parliament. |
| It may opt for local schemes instead, under the wide-ranging Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, due to be published shortly. | It may opt for local schemes instead, under the wide-ranging Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, due to be published shortly. |
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| However, Linda Williams, who runs a licensed convenience store in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh, said ministers were coming at the problem from the wrong angle. | However, Linda Williams, who runs a licensed convenience store in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh, said ministers were coming at the problem from the wrong angle. |
| "It needs to be tackled from an educational and social point of view, rather than legislation," she told BBC Scotland."It's not the shopkeeper's duty to police what people drink." | "It needs to be tackled from an educational and social point of view, rather than legislation," she told BBC Scotland."It's not the shopkeeper's duty to police what people drink." |
| Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said he accepted there were problems with heavy discounting of alcohol, particularly drinks such as cider and alcopops, which appeal to youngsters. | Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said he accepted there were problems with heavy discounting of alcohol, particularly drinks such as cider and alcopops, which appeal to youngsters. |
| But he added: "Our preference would be to see these issues tackled through the tax system, which would involve co-operation with Westminster. As it currently stands, the minimum pricing plan is horribly flawed." | But he added: "Our preference would be to see these issues tackled through the tax system, which would involve co-operation with Westminster. As it currently stands, the minimum pricing plan is horribly flawed." |
| Richard Baker, the Scottish Labour justice spokesman, claimed ministers appeared "hell-bent" on making the changes, adding: "We need to establish if the minimum pricing model proposed by the SNP is workable, or even legal, before going ahead. | Richard Baker, the Scottish Labour justice spokesman, claimed ministers appeared "hell-bent" on making the changes, adding: "We need to establish if the minimum pricing model proposed by the SNP is workable, or even legal, before going ahead. |
| "Labour has already said we believe the Nationalists' proposals on alcohol and criminal justice are in a mess, but trying to bulldozer controversial measures like these goes against any sense of normal parliamentary practice." | "Labour has already said we believe the Nationalists' proposals on alcohol and criminal justice are in a mess, but trying to bulldozer controversial measures like these goes against any sense of normal parliamentary practice." |