davieG Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Measures to tackle alcohol abuse by stopping cut-price offers have been outlined by the Scottish Government. It has proposed a range of measures including the radical step of a minimum price per unit. It would be the first country in Europe to take the step. The minority government said it also plans to ban discount deals on alcohol. SNP ministers backed down from raising the age buying drink from off-sales to 21 - but will create powers for that to be imposed on a local basis. And local chief constables will also be able to request such a move. Other measures include restricting the display and marketing of drink to specific areas within off-sales premises. Scottish ministers also plan to create legal powers to introduce a "social responsibility fee" for some retailers. They decided not to go ahead with proposals to introduce alcohol-only checkouts in supermarkets and shops. They said this had been opposed, particularly from small retailers, who lacked the floor space and staff. Alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn every year in lost work days and costs to the health service and the Scottish Government said it was time to act. Ministers denied being "anti-alcohol", amid opposition party concern that the proposals were being forced through. The Scottish Government plans to use the existing licensing act to introduce the minimum price per unit of alcohol. The details of that will be worked out with economists to find the most effective level. The same law will also be modified to ban drinks offers such as buy one-get-one-free and prevent the use of alcohol as a "loss leader". The paper outlining the plans pointed out that some retailers had moved away from quantity discounts to straight price cuts such as selling 24 can packs of lager for £7 or premium vodka at £6 for a 70cl bottle. Ministers said they did not believe alcohol should be discounted in the same way as other commodities. The blueprint said the amount of advertising by supermarkets over recent months suggested that cheap alcohol did play a key role in determining where people shop. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Plummeting prices and aggressive promotion have led to a surge in consumption, causing and adding to health problems ranging from liver and heart diseases to diabetes, obesity, dementia and cancers. "We have listened to those who responded to the consultation and modified our proposals where appropriate. "But we remain determined to press ahead with tough policies to tackle alcohol misuse." "This, in turn, has fuelled significant increases in deaths and illness." The Tories said the pricing plans were "horribly flawed", while Labour warned against rushing measures through. It branded the SNP's proposals 'an unworkable mess' and said they were 'unsupportable' in their current form. The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals. Fiona Moriary, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said the plans would add costs to responsible shoppers without making any difference to irresponsible drinking. She said: "Irresponsible drinking is not about price or availability yet this is the main focus of the government's approach. "We need to develop solutions that educate rather than alienate, instead the government has retreated to its bunker and is neither listening to the evidence presented or willing to tackle these issues in a consensual manner." The Portman Group, an alcohol industry body which promotes responsible drinking, said the government was not listening to reason. Chief executive David Poley said: "People who drink to get drunk would not be influenced by these measures. "We should be targeting the harmful drinking minority through better education and effective law enforcement." Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, welcomed the focus on the "irresponsible promotions and practices in off-sales". He said: "Not only does the SLTA agree with minimum pricing, it's a view shared by licensed trade leaders from the rest of the UK and Ireland." Doctors and police leaders also backed the Scottish Government. Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: "We particularly welcome its proposals on minimum price and promotions, as evidence shows that the increased affordability of alcohol is driving the damaging levels of consumption in Scotland." Det Ch Supt John Carnochan, spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "Fundamentally, if you want to reduce violence then you need to reduce access to alcohol. "We know that the group most at risk from violence is young males aged 10 -29, so if you limit access to alcohol in certain areas then it can only be a good thing, especially as it is done with local agreement and is locally relevant." Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "Change won't happen overnight. But the combined efforts of government, health and police services, the alcohol industry, licensed trade and the voluntary sector should ensure significantly fewer Scots' lives are affected by alcohol misuse."
Monk Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 I guess it depends what type of alcoholism they are trying to combat. If you put the price of a 3l bottle of white lightening up by 50p does that stop kids buying it? Not really. If you put the price of a pint in a pub up 50p, it might limit the number of pints drunk in working class/poor areas The price of alcohol varies so much anyway, setting a minumum price may solve some isolated problems but I can't see it having a major impact nor being popular.
Flynny Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny...
Phube Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 I don't call £20 a bottle cheap!! Or is that just the wine I buy?!?
Dr The Singh Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Under age drinkers will drink no matter what the price is and what the age limit is!! Unfortunately, people on low income will be punished, they will drink out less and drink ever crappier alcohol from supermarkets!!!!
The People's Hero Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 It's an awful idea and I'm about sick of this Nanny State. Pretty soon you won't be able to buy razors, a lawnmower or a lemon without the relevant certificate, H&S being satisfied and a promise you won't squirt it in someone's eye. When they do stick all the prices up, I might drink myself to death on overpriced booze and make sure my final moments are spent slumped against the door of 10 Downing St.
Alexikokopops Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 It's an awful idea and I'm about sick of this Nanny State.Pretty soon you won't be able to buy razors, a lawnmower or a lemon without the relevant certificate, H&S being satisfied and a promise you won't squirt it in someone's eye. When they do stick all the prices up, I might drink myself to death on overpriced booze and make sure my final moments are spent slumped against the door of 10 Downing St. You might want to try St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. Oh, and travel up to Scotland to buy some of that overpriced booze too. Measures to tackle alcohol abuse by stopping cut-price offers have been outlined by the Scottish Government.
The People's Hero Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 You might want to try St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. Oh, and travel up to Scotland to buy some of that overpriced booze too. We will follow suit. If booze goes up and pikeys can't afford to drink, they're just going to spend more time in our respective houses nicking our stuff. They are best off in nasty pubs and their horrible little homes, out of our way.
Trav Le Bleu Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 It's a typical situation of the sensible majority suffering because of the stupid few. I say LOWER the price of alcohol and let the idiots drink themselves to an early grave!
hairy Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Its not tackling the reasons for them drinking in the first place. They will just start making homebrew again
welck12 Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Putting the price up aint gonna make a difference, if people want to drink excessively they will, simple as.
purpleronnie Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 In the words of the great Woody Guthrie:- It´s aginst th´ law to walk, It´s aginst th´ law to talk It´s against th´ law to loaf, It´s aginst th´ law to work It´s aginst th´ law to read, It´s aginst th´ law to write It´s aginst th´ law to be a black or brown or white. Ever´thing's aginst th´ law I´m a low pay daddy singing th´ high price blues It´s aginst th´ law to eat, It´s aginst th´ law to drink It´s aginst th´ law to worry, It´s aginst th´ law to think It´s aginst th´ law to marry or to try to settle down It´s aginst th´ law to ramble like a bum from town to town Ever´thing's aginst th´ law I´m a low pay daddy singing th´ high price blues It´s aginst th´ law to come, It´s against th´ law to go It´s against th´ law to ride, It´s against th´ law to roll It´s aginst th´ law to hug, It´s against th´ law to kiss It´s against th´ law to shoot, It´s against th´ law to miss Ever´thing's aginst th´ law I´m a low pay daddy singing th´ high price blues It´s aginst th´ law to gamble, It´s aginst th´ law to roam It´s aginst th´ law to organize or try to build a home It´s aginst th´ law to sing, It´s aginst th´ law to dance It´s aginst th´ law to tell you th´ trouble on my hands Ever'thing in Winston Salem is aginst th' law I'ma low pay daddy singin' th' high price blues
Bellend Sebastian Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 The problem drinkers at the Dawn and Anchor centres apparently spend about £28 or something on 200 units of alcohol a week. That's a bargain in anyone's book. I might ask one to be a personal shopper for me
Flynny Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 The problem drinkers at the Dawn and Anchor centres apparently spend about £28 or something on 200 units of alcohol a week.That's a bargain in anyone's book. I might ask one to be a personal shopper for me That's just speccy brew from an off-license, surely?
Bellend Sebastian Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 That's just speccy brew from an off-license, surely? Well if the cans scattered around the streets around our office are anything to go by, there's a bit of that, and whatever HSL is (High Strength Lager), but by far the most popular problem drinker's tipple is White Strike. I think two litres is about £1.49. I've never tried it, but by the look of some of those dudes I suspect it may not be that good for you
davieG Posted 2 March 2009 Author Posted 2 March 2009 Well if the cans scattered around the streets around our office are anything to go by, there's a bit of that, and whatever HSL is (High Strength Lager), but by far the most popular problem drinker's tipple is White Strike. I think two litres is about £1.49.I've never tried it, but by the look of some of those dudes I suspect it may not be that good for you Neither is meths but that's what they used to drink before the cheaper booze came along. It wont stop alcoholics because they've always found and always will find a way to get drink and it wont stop young people drinking too much because it's a cultural thing and the price of goods is not a problem to them.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 They should go back to meths. It's such a pretty colour too - like an alcopop
Zingari Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 the SNP are desperately looking for ways to lose the next election
davieG Posted 2 March 2009 Author Posted 2 March 2009 They should go back to meths. It's such a pretty colour too - like an alcopop Ha, ha you can't drink that version, it's been doctored to do you in quick. Info for budding alcoholics. http://everything2.com/title/Pure Pure ethanol (the stuff that makes you drunk) that has had impurities deliberately added to it, mainly methanol. Medical grade methylated spirits are 95 per cent ethanol, 5 per cent methanol. Commercial grade methylated spirits also has small concentrations of naphthalene and kerosene. Methylated spirits are sometimes simply known as "metho". The idea behind metho is this: ethanol is a generally useful solvent and handy for lots of things, like fuel, cleaning and so on. However, it is also intoxicating and people who want to get drunk would just buy ethanol and drink it straight or dilute it, probably blowing away their livers in the process. Plus, strictly speaking, since it is arguably an alcoholic beverage, it should be taxed an exhorbitant amount. How do you solve the problem? You add a poison to the ethanol that's hard to separate from it, so people don't drink it, while at the same time not siginificantly changing its useful properties. Hence adding methanol. Methanol is (a) poisonous, (b) an alcohol very similar to ethanol anyway, so likely to have the same properties. It's no longer an alcoholic beverage any more, so now you don't have to pay taxes. But it's still useful as a solvent, cleaning agent, fuel etc. This has sort of backfired. Alcoholics (in particular homeless bums) sometimes buy the metho anyway and cop the poisonous effects, more specifically, the blindness.
Webbo Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny nanny... 99/100 I'd agree with that, but I think there is something in this. The price of beer in supermarkets is so cheap it's ridiculous. The fact that kids can get pissed up at pocket money prices is very worrying. Not only that but it's putting a lot of pubs out of business. As long as this only affects supermarkets I'll support it.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Now that's party pooping on a massive scale. Who needs to be able to see, anyway?
Flynny Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 99/100 I'd agree with that, but I think there is something in this. The price of beer in supermarkets is so cheap it's ridiculous. The fact that kids can get pissed up at pocket money prices is very worrying. Not only that but it's putting a lot of pubs out of business. As long as this only affects supermarkets I'll support it. What are students supposed to do if this happens? Looks like I'm just in time really, I don't see this happening in England for a bit.
Flynny Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 Well if the cans scattered around the streets around our office are anything to go by, there's a bit of that, and whatever HSL is (High Strength Lager), but by far the most popular problem drinker's tipple is White Strike. I think two litres is about £1.49.I've never tried it, but by the look of some of those dudes I suspect it may not be that good for you Wikipedia: The drink is available in one, two and three litre bottles. A three litre bottle contains 22.5 UK units and retails at £2.99, making it one of the cheapest ciders available in the United Kingdom. Jesus christ! That's 75 units for a tenner.
Alexikokopops Posted 2 March 2009 Posted 2 March 2009 What are students supposed to do if this happens? Looks like I'm just in time really, I don't see this happening in England for a bit. I don't care about students anymore. Scum, the lot of you.
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