Health chiefs urge MSPs to back minimum alcohol price

Published on Thursday 24 December 2009 09:16

TOP health officials have written to MSPs urging them to back the Scottish Government's plans for minimum pricing for alcohol.

Seventeen directors of public health across Scotland, including NHS Lothian's Dr Alison McCallum, have signed the letter which also supports the ending of cheap alcohol promotions.

It read: "Over the past 30 years in Scotland, our level of deaths directly caused by alcohol has almost tripled. One person in Scotland is dying every three hours as a direct result of alcohol.

"Minimum pricing and reduced discounting are ways of reducing alcohol consumption that do not require the approval of the Westminster Parliament. For the sake of the health and social wellbeing of the people in Scotland we encourage you to support these actions."

Michael Matheson, an SNP member of the Scottish Parliament's health committee, said: "This is a significant show of support for the Scottish Government's bold proposals. Our alcohol consumption is increasing and the relative cost of alcohol has decreased. Despite numerous opportunities supermarkets have shown they will not act responsibly when it comes to price.

"As the supermarkets will not take action the Government has no choice but to put in place a responsible price for alcohol."