News
Alcohol Focus Scotland response to minimum pricing plans for England and Wales
18/01/2011
We are pleased the coalition government recognises there is a link between price, consumption and harm.
However, having recognised the link, we would expect them to introduce measures that would actually be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and harm. As there are virtually no alcohol products currently retailing below the cost of duty and VAT, this measure will have zero effect on reducing consumption and harm.
If the Scottish Parliament was looking to the Westminster Government to take the lead in tackling cheap alcohol they will be sorely disappointed. Banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty and VAT will not deliver any of the health gains that minimum unit pricing would deliver.
We urge politicians in Scotland and the UK to stop 'watering down' proposals for alcohol price levels and support minimum unit pricing - the pricing measure that would be most effective in saving lives and reducing harm.
However, having recognised the link, we would expect them to introduce measures that would actually be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and harm. As there are virtually no alcohol products currently retailing below the cost of duty and VAT, this measure will have zero effect on reducing consumption and harm.
If the Scottish Parliament was looking to the Westminster Government to take the lead in tackling cheap alcohol they will be sorely disappointed. Banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty and VAT will not deliver any of the health gains that minimum unit pricing would deliver.
We urge politicians in Scotland and the UK to stop 'watering down' proposals for alcohol price levels and support minimum unit pricing - the pricing measure that would be most effective in saving lives and reducing harm.