Commenting on the Scottish Labour’s Commission on Alcohol report yesterday (Tuesday 31 August 2010) the BMA said it was ‘disappointed’ that the panel had rejected minimum pricing as the most effective measure to address alcohol misuse in Scotland.
Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:
“While there are some useful contributions to the alcohol debate contained within this report, it fails to recognise the most important element of any alcohol strategy by rejecting minimum pricing. I am disappointed that Labour’s alcohol commission has failed to take into account the growing support for this policy. I am concerned that the panel, as with the Labour politicians, have entered this entire process with a determined view to oppose minimum pricing, no matter what – and it is our society and our health service that will pay the price.
“Measures such as tougher enforcement of existing licensing legislation, the introduction of Challenge 25 as a mandatory measure and policies to tackle the promotion and advertising of alcohol products will contribute towards changing the culture of drinking in Scotland. But they are far less effective without a robust mechanism to deal with pricing.
“There is clear evidence to link the reduction in price of alcohol with increasing consumption and related health harms and this is evident in Scotland where someone dies an alcohol-attributable death every three hours. Supermarkets use cheap alcohol to attract customers into their stores, selling it even cheaper than bottled water and soft drinks. Those who oppose minimum pricing are doing so largely to protect their own profits.
“The Commission’s proposal for a ban on sales below the cost of duty and VAT is not a credible or workable alternative to minimum pricing. Under this policy, cheap, strong alcohol such as supermarket vodka and cider could be sold even cheaper than they are currently and it is unlikely that this would produce the immediate social and health gains that could be achieved by a minimum price.
“Minimum pricing has been commended by health experts across the globe. The World Health Organisation considers it to be an effective policy and the eyes of the world are on Scotland. We have a real opportunity to lead the public health agenda once again and I am disappointed that the Labour Party cannot put politics aside to do what is best for our nation’s health. ”
Source: BMA Scotland