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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 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. |
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. | |
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 comments | HAVE 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. |
Loss leader | |
The Scottish Government plans to use the existing licensing act to introduce the minimum price per unit of alcohol. | |
The details of that will be worked out with economists to find the most effective level. | |
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 paper outlining the plans pointed to retailers selling 24 can packs of lager for £7. | |
Ministers said they did not believe alcohol should be discounted in the same way as other commodities. | |
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 here | 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 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. |