AFS responds to Scottish Government alcohol consultation

08/09/2008

Alcohol Focus Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation - Changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

AFS alcohol consultation response (PDF, 261kb)

We are heartened that the Scottish Government is demonstrably taking Scotland's harmful drinking culture seriously by clearly setting out the scale of the problem, and outlining a range of proposals many of which have proven to have had a positive impact in other countries. It's encouraging to see alcohol-related problems being discussed in a more holistic way which recognises that a whole population approach is needed to make the required culture shift.

Key points from AFS response:

- AFS agrees that a minimum pricing scheme based on the alcoholic strength of drinks should be introduced.

- AFS fully supports the introduction of legislation to automatically require licensed premises to sell measures of 125ml for wine and 25ml for spirits.

- AFS agrees that a social responsibility fee should be introduced which should apply to all licensed premises.

- AFS welcomes the debate on changing the purchase age for off-sales to 21. While we think that solely targeting young people is wrong, young people's drinking is not a minority problem and those of legal drinking age could still do so in pubs, which should be safer environments.

- AFS supports seperate checkouts for alcohol sales, where practically possible. Checkouts should only be operated by over 18s.