BMA Scotland Welcomes Announcement Of Minimum Price For Alcohol

The BMA has welcomed plans to set the minimum price per unit of alcohol in Scotland at 45 pence.


Commenting on the proposed price announced by the Cabinet Secretary this morning, Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said that so far, no credible alternative to minimum pricing had been identified by opposition parties and he urged them to back the Alcohol Bill.


He said:


"Unlike suggested alternatives coming forward from Labour and the Conservatives, minimum pricing will have an immediate effect in tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland. By setting the price at 45 pence, it is estimated that 50 deaths will be prevented in the first year. Minimum pricing will also reduce the toll of alcohol on the health service saving the NHS in excess of ??80 million.


"As the price of alcohol has fallen, consumption has increased - so much so that in Scotland we are drinking a 25% more than our counterparts in England and Wales. Supermarkets sell high alcohol products such as vodka and ciders at ridiculously cheap prices to entice customers into their store and use aggressive marketing campaigns to encourage higher levels of consumption.


"This trend for cheap alcohol and excessive consumption has a human cost. Alcohol related illness causes one death every three hours in Scotland and the healthcare costs are more than ??268 million. This increasing cost could cripple the NHS with a financial burden that is no longer sustainable especially in the current financial climate.


"A minimum price, as part of a wider strategy, could help to end this culture and with the introduction of a social responsibility levy, the income generated could be used to improve services tackling alcohol-related harm in communities across Scotland


"All parties are unanimous in their support for measures to address the price of alcohol, yet opponents to minimum pricing have failed to come up with a credible alternative that would have as positive an impact on reducing alcohol related harm. The proposals for a 'floor price' to ban the sale of alcohol below cost of duty and VAT will simply allow retailers to sell their alcohol even cheaper than they do currently and we have not seen any evidence to demonstrate that this approach would deliver sufficient health gains to merit the support of the medical profession.


"The eyes of the world are on the Scottish parliament. I urge MSPs not to let us down and to support minimum pricing because it is the right thing to do."


Source:

British Medical Association