McLeish backs SNP's alcohol price plan

Published on Tuesday 14 April 2009 16:09

FORMER Labour First Minister Henry McLeish today backed the SNP's plan to introduce minimum pricing for drink.

He said Scotland has a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to change its relationship with alcohol.

A series of measures have been put forward by the Scottish Government to try to tackle alcohol abuse – a problem which costs the country 2.25 billion a year.

Ministers want to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in an attempt to stop it being sold for "pocket-money prices".

Mr McLeish said the Scottish Government should "press on" with the move.

In an article in Holyrood magazine the former First Minister said: "Over-consumption and abuse of alcohol in Scotland is a not a minority pastime. That is why the acceptance of minimum alcohol pricing is so important.

"The chief medical officer in England has rightly endorsed this proposal and while the Westminster Government has rejected the idea out of hand, the Scottish Government should press on with it."

Mr McLeish criticised the "ludicrous pricing levels" of some drinks.

And he said the evidence on such a move is "clear", and that "minimum pricing will impact disproportionately on hazardous drinkers and have a limited effect on moderate drinkers."

He continued: "We must make choices which will tackle the problems that are hurting Scotland and holding us back from realising our undoubted potential.

"Overall alcohol consumption, Scotland-style, is a threat to our status as a civilised country.

"We have hitherto proved ourselves incapable of dealing with the issue but we now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn Scotland in a new direction."

Mr McLeish cited a number of "killer facts" about Scotland's relationship with drink, pointing out that Scotland had the eighth highest alcohol consumption level in the world, that drink is nearly 70% more affordable now than in 1980, that alcohol-related deaths in the country have more than doubled in the last 15 years and that alcohol misuse is behind 40% of violent crimes.

"Alcohol-related damage to our country is certainly not acceptable but, sadly, it is true," he said.

"From domestic violence to the state of our prisons, alcohol leaves its unmistakable and ugly imprint. Our health service is asked to tackle alcohol abuse and its deadly consequences. And our economy suffers from the increasing effects of alcohol abuse.

"Every facet of Scottish society is affected by alcohol and its pervasive impact."

His comments were welcomed by SNP MSP Michael Matheson, a member of Holyrood's Health Committee.

The former First Minister has "added his voice to the increasing consensus for action to tackle Scotland's alcohol problem", Mr Matheson said.

"Anyone who takes the time to look at the evidence understands that minimum pricing is an essential part of the package to cut the health, social and economic costs of alcohol to our society."

There is now a "real tide for change building up", Mr Matheson went on.

"Our national problem with alcohol is a dependency and an embarrassment we cannot afford and must be determined to change.

"It is time for all parties to look at the evidence, to listen to the experts and not the special interest pleading of supermarkets and commit to changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol."