Scottish anti-alcohol abuse plans unveiled

June 17, 2008: The Scottish Government has launched a new approach to tackling alcohol misuse with the aim of changing Scotland's relationship with drink.

Key proposals in the consultation document include:

l Raising the minimum age for off-sales alcohol purchases to 21
l Setting a minimum price at which a unit of alcohol can be sold
l Ending 'three for the price of two' type promotions, which, the government says, encourage impulse buying of extra alcohol
l A 'social responsibility fee' for some alcohol retailers to help pay for the consequences of alcohol misuse and reduce the burden on the general taxpayer
l Introducing alcohol-only checkouts in large off-sales premises, so that alcohol, like cigarettes, is thought of as a special case and not 'just another product'
l Spending a record £85 million increase in alcohol prevention, treatment and support services, bringing total spend to £120 million over the next three years (as previously announced as part of the Spending Review)

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The Scottish Government is determined to tackle alcohol misuse ...

"We believe that by raising the age for off-sales purchases of alcohol to 21, together with better enforcement, we will reduce excessive consumption among young people.

"Setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol will mean price better reflects the strength of alcoholic drinks. This will end the heavy discounting which allows strong drink to be sold cheaper than bottled water.

"I believe this country has so much potential, but we need a healthier relationship with alcohol if we are to maximise it. We all have a personal responsibility to drink sensibly but government also has a responsibility to show leadership.

"We are not anti-alcohol - but we are concerned about alcohol misuse. Today we are putting forward our ideas for tackling this issue. We want to hear as many views as possible, because we all have an interest in getting to grips with this situation."

Following the consultation, the Scottish Government envisages legislating in time for many of the measures to coincide with the new Licensing Act coming into force on September 1, 2009.