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Scots plan to stop alcohol offers Scots plan to stop alcohol offers
(29 minutes later)
Measures to tackle alcohol abuse by halting cut-price offers have been outlined by the Scottish Government. Measures to tackle alcohol abuse by stopping cut-price offers have been outlined by the Scottish Government.
It has proposed a range of measures including the radical step of a minimum price per unit. It would be the first country in Europe to take the step.It has proposed a range of measures including the radical step of a minimum price per unit. It would be the first country in Europe to take the step.
The minority government said it also plans to ban discount deals on alcohol.The minority government said it also plans to ban discount deals on alcohol.
It has backed down from increasing the age across Scotland for off-sales to 21 - but will create powers for that to be imposed on a local basis. SNP ministers backed down from raising the age buying drink from off-sales to 21 - but will create powers for that to be imposed on a local basis.
Alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn every year in lost work days and costs to the health service and the Scottish Government said it was time to act. And local Chief Constables will also be able to request such a move.
Other measures include restricting the display and marketing of drink to specific areas within off-sales premises.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe way forward for all drinking-related incidents is to bill those involvedG, LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThe way forward for all drinking-related incidents is to bill those involvedG, LondonSend us your comments
Scottish ministers also plan to create legal powers to introduce a "social responsibility fee" for some retailers.
Alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn every year in lost work days and costs to the health service and the Scottish Government said it was time to act.
Ministers decide not to go ahead with proposals to introduce alcohol only checkouts in supermarkets and shops.
They said this had been opposed particularly from small retailers who lacked the floor space and staff.
Ministers denied being "anti-alcohol", amid opposition party concern that the proposals were being forced through.Ministers denied being "anti-alcohol", amid opposition party concern that the proposals were being forced through.
The alcohol plans are part of wide-ranging justice reforms being brought forward by the Holyrood administration. Loss leader
Ministers want to bring in regulations to end "irresponsible" drink promotions, and stop the sale of alcohol in licensed premises below cost price. The Scottish Government plans to use the existing licensing act to introduce the minimum price per unit of alcohol.
The government also wants to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol, and place a duty on licensing boards to consider raising the age for off-sales purchases to 21 in part or all of their areas. The details of that will be worked out with economists to find the most effective level.
Earlier plans to raise the age across Scotland failed to win enough parliamentary support. 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.
The Scottish Government's newly published action plan on tackling the problem stated: "This government is not anti-alcohol, we are anti-alcohol misuse. The paper outlining the plans pointed to retailers selling 24 can packs of lager for £7.
"But the extent of alcohol misuse in Scotland and its impact on us all means the need for a new approach is overwhelming. Ministers said they did not believe alcohol should be discounted in the same way as other commodities.
"Significant increases in the affordability of alcohol - 70% more affordable than in 1980 - have helped drive an increase in consumption of 19% over the same period. They plan to restrict the marketing and display of alcohol to dedicated areas in store.
READ THE ALCOHOL STRATEGY Changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol: A framework for action [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE ALCOHOL STRATEGY Changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol: A framework for action [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The social responsibility fee would not apply to smaller retailers - details to be worked out during 2009
They have abandoned the idea of separate check outs in shops for alcohol - with a minimum age for cashier.
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.""This, in turn, has fuelled significant increases in deaths and illness."
The Tories said the pricing plans were "horribly flawed", while Labour warned against rushing measures through.The Tories said the pricing plans were "horribly flawed", while Labour warned against rushing measures through.
The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals.The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals.
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.
Official figures show there were 42,430 alcohol-related discharges from hospitals in 2007-08, a 20% increase over five years.Official figures show there were 42,430 alcohol-related discharges from hospitals in 2007-08, a 20% increase over five years.
And statistics analysed for the Scottish Government last week showed that Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the world.And statistics analysed for the Scottish Government last week showed that Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the world.
People aged over 16 consumed the equivalent of 11.8 litres of pure alcohol each in 2007. The figure for England and Wales was 9.9 litres.People aged over 16 consumed the equivalent of 11.8 litres of pure alcohol each in 2007. The figure for England and Wales was 9.9 litres.