Measures included in the alcohol pricing legislation

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 22:04

THE bill is expected to bring forward plans to:

- Introduce a lowest price for every unit of alcohol sold in Scotland. Although no blanket level is expected to be set in today's bill, it is estimated secondary legislation will eventually be brought forward to set this at about 40p per 10ml of pure alcohol. This would raise the price of some supermarket own-label vodka by 50 per cent and strong cider by 100 per cent. This would not be introduced in the form of increased duty and the drinks industry would keep any additional profits from the rise.

- Allow local licensing boards to ban so-called "irresponsible promotions" and quantity discounts in off-sales similar to the measures already introduced in Scottish pubs.

This measure will end two-for-one deals on alcohol, as well as stopping buy-one-get-one-free offers in off-licences and supermarkets. So far, off-sales have been excluded from the Scottish Government's clampdown on alcohol misuse, and the government has admitted it could cause problems for large retailers as they buy in bulk across the UK.

- Local licensing boards will be given the power to increase the legal age for purchasing alcohol to 21 in areas of Scotland troubled by excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour. Several Scottish communities have tested this approach.

- Certain retailers in problem areas could be asked to pay a "social responsibility fee" to offset costs incurred by local agencies in dealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse.

- Bars could be forced to ensure that small measures of wine are available to customers, and promotions, such as buying two glasses of wine and getting the rest of the bottle free, could be ended in pubs.

In addition to the legislation, Labour has proposed alcohol treatment testing orders, which could be made compulsory for people convicted of a drink-related offence. They will be given counselling to help them to stop drinking, before being regularly tested to make sure they stay sober.

The measure would be similar to drug treatment testing orders in use for drug addicts leaving prison or given as an alternative to jail.