News

Source – STV news 10/01/12

Click to read Alcohol Focus Scotland's response in full

Alcohol producers and retailers should not be involved in identifying public-health goals to inform policy, a national charity has warned.

Alcohol Focus Scotland said there was an "obvious conflict of interest" for such firms, and therefore their involvement should be limited.

The comments were contained in a written submission to Holyrood's Health Committee, which is currently scrutinising the Scottish Government's proposals to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol.

The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill has been met with both support and opposition from within the drinks industry.

Members of the committee will question a panel of experts, including Alcohol Focus Scotland chief executive Dr Evelyn Gillan. In its submission, the charity said the advantages of minimum pricing "clearly outweigh any perceived disadvantages".

It said: "Opposition to MUP arises mainly from sections of the alcohol industry particularly some of the big producers and retailers who, it could be argued, have a commercial vested interest in opposing measures which are likely to bring about a reduction in overall alcohol consumption."

It added: "Alcohol Focus Scotland is of the view that whilst commercial vested interests can be involved in the implementation of alcohol policy, their involvement should be confined to areas which pertain specifically to their role as producers and retailers of alcoholic beverages, for example labelling and server training.

"They should not be involved in the identification of public-health goals to inform alcohol policy given the obvious conflict of interest and the fact that their expertise is in producing and selling alcohol, and not in health."

The committee will hear from experts including Dr Peter Rice, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland and consultant addictions psychiatrist at NHS Tayside, and later from Professor Timothy Stockwell, University of Victoria, British Columbia.

The Scottish Government has not yet revealed where the minimum level will be set but has used 45p to illustrate the plan.

The formula would put the cost of a 700ml bottle of 37.5% ABV spirits at £11.82. A 500ml can of super-strength 9% beer would be £2.03.