Analysis: Scotland shows the way in linking prices and problem drinking

Published on Wednesday 10 November 2010 14:14

After all the debating, discussing, claims and counter-claims, politicians have decided that minimum pricing will not be implemented in Scotland.

The health statistics have been well aired.

So why were our politicians not persuaded? Some said they were not convinced by the evidence. Others said it would disproportionately affect poorer people - a difficult claim to support when you consider that 80 per cent of people on the lowest incomes either don't drink at all or drink about four or five units a week, so would be little affected.

The real questions are, does the Alcohol Bill that was finally passed deliver anything of substance for the people of Scotland and will it help to stem the rising tide of alcohol harm that we have witnessed over the past 30 years?

There is no doubt that banning bulk discount buys and placing restrictions on alcohol promotions in the off-trade are important steps forward and should begin to make a difference.

However, it is also true to say that these measures will be less effective without a floor price and if the Westminster government does not come forward with any comparable pricing measures, then Scottish politicians will have to deal with the consequences of rising health and social harm.

But something has changed in the alcohol debate in Scotland. Politicians of all parties now accept that there is a link between alcohol price, consumption and harm.

This is of fundamental importance and our politicians must continue to show leadership in the UK on alcohol policy as we did on smoking. Indeed the only people who dispute this link are the big global alcohol producers and retailers who consistently oppose any measures that threaten their profits.

The challenge facing all of us now is to move forward and build on these significant gains we have made.

If politicians are not convinced that minimum unit pricing is the answer, then it is incumbent on them to tell us what they propose as an alternative.

• Dr Evelyn Gillan is chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland