'While Labour talks, people die' rages drink-row Sturgeon

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 21:40

THE health secretary claimed yesterday that Labour's failure to back the SNP's flagship proposal on minimum alcohol pricing would cost Scottish lives.

Nicola Sturgeon at the launch of the bill. Picture: Jane Barlow

Nicola Sturgeon accused Labour of playing "petty politics" with the health of the country when she launched the Scottish Government's plans to improve the country's troubled relationship with drink.

Her attack came after Labour said it would not back the SNP's plan to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

Labour's stance, which was revealed in The Scotsman yesterday, effectively killed off the SNP's key proposal to reduce the consumption of cheap ciders, spirits and lagers by raising their price.

The SNP's failure to attract Labour support for the measure means that it does not have the support needed to pass legislation through the Scottish Parliament.

Labour has concerns about the legal competence of the scheme and says minimum pricing would benefit the big supermarkets. The party has set up a commission under Professor Sally Brown, emeritus professor of education at Stirling University, to explore the alcohol issue.

The attitude of the main opposition party at Holyrood infuriated Ms Sturgeon, who said: "While Labour have set up a talking shop, people will still be dying.

"There is overwhelming support for minimum pricing from a range of people in Scotland, including doctors, nurses and the police, who deal with the problems of alcohol misuse on a day-to-day basis. We are determined to rise above petty politics and are prepared to show courage and leadership."

Ms Sturgeon said that 3,000 deaths, 42,000 hospital stays and 110,000 GP visits every year were linked to alcohol abuse.

"These targeted measures get to the heart of the problem, particularly addressing the rock-bottom pricing of low-grade ciders, lagers and spirits favoured by problem drinkers," she said.

"No-one can seriously argue that selling strong drink for pocket-money prices isn't fuelling heavy consumption."

Later, Alex Salmond stepped up the attack at First Minister Questions, when he said yesterday marked "Labour's day of shame".

The health secretary launched the SNP's long-awaited Alcohol Bill at the Indigo Yard bar in the west end of Edinburgh, though it was offering "fabulous half-price offers" on cocktails between Tuesday and Friday, despite efforts to crack down on pub promotions.

Sipping a non-alcoholic elderflower mojito cocktail (the bar staff left out the rum), Ms Sturgeon said Labour was "putting party politics ahead of health".

Independent research carried out for the Scottish Government has shown that minimum pricing could cut alcohol-related deaths by up to 20 per cent and reduce the number of crimes committed by about 3,000 a year.

In addition to minimum pricing, the Alcohol Bill would place a duty on licensing boards to consider raising the age limit for buying drink at off-sales to 21.

It would also impose a "social responsibility fee" on some retailers that would offset the costs of dealing with drink-related problems and a ban on "irresponsible" off-sales promotions which encourage drunkenness.

The bill does not specify what the minimum price for alcohol would be, although ministers have suggested 40p per unit is a good notional figure.

Labour's decision to finally come out against minimum pricing led the Tories and Lib Dems to call for the legislation to be abandoned.

Last night, Labour said suggestions their position would cost lives were "nonsense".

"Our commission will have reported by the summer, at which point the bill will still be going through parliament," a spokesman said.

What they said about minimum price plan

"No-one can seriously argue that selling strong drink for pocket money prices isn't fuelling heavy consumption"

- Nicola Sturgeon

"When we look at the ridiculously low prices that people are being charged for alcohol at supermarkets – where alcohol is really being given away to attract people into stores so they can make money on other products. That's inherently wrong"

- Paul Waterson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association

"Its rejection by Labour is a major blow which could set back our attempts to make a positive change to Scotland's drinking culture"

- Jack Law of Alcohol Focus Scotland

"It is likely that minimum unit pricing would be challenged in the European Court as soon as it was introduced"

- Richard Simpson, doctor and Labour MSP

"The evidence of research on minimum pricing is that the heaviest drinkers are less likely to adjust their drinking than moderate consumers"

- Gavin Hewitt of the Scotch Whisky Association

"By its very nature, minimum pricing will impact all consumers"

- Simon Litherland, MD of drinks company Diageo

BREW-HAHA

A CONTROVERSIAL Buchan-based brewery was yesterday accused of a "cynical marketing ploy" as it launched the world's strongest-ever beer on the same day as MSPs were debating plans for the minimum-pricing of alcohol in Scotland.

Jack Law, the chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, condemned the brewery's latest creation. He said:

"It is child-like attention-grabbing behaviour. We would want to know why a brewer would produce a beer which is almost as strong as whisky. We find it unbelievable."

The new beer – called "Tactical Nuclear Penguin", with a staggering 32 per cent alcohol content – is 1 per cent stronger than the current record-holder for the world's stronger brew, German beer brand Schorschbru.

Comment: 'Imagine, safer streets and less pressure on the health service'

Martin Plant

The Scottish Government is to be congratulated for proposing the introduction of a minimum price for units of alcohol. This proposal promises to save lives and cut Scotland's chronically serious alcohol problem.

A mass of scientific evidence shows that taxation is not only an effective, but a cost-effective, way of reducing alcohol-related premature deaths, hospital admissions and other adverse effects of heavy drinking, such as crime and disorder.

In contrast, extensive evidence also shows clearly that the politically popular options of alcohol education, media campaigns and social marketing do not reduce heavy drinking or save lives. They are ineffective, a distraction and a waste of public money.

A recent analysis by my colleagues and me has shown that a change of one litre in the UK's per capita consumption would be associated with approximately 928 deaths per annum. Reducing alcohol consumption is the key to reducing the rates of alcohol-related deaths and other alcohol problems in Scotland. These are higher than those in other parts of the UK. They are also especially commonplace in the most deprived areas.

The introduction of a minimum unit price (such as 40p or 50p) would reduce alcohol consumption, especially of harmful and hazardous drinkers. It would also target the cheapest alcohol, which is associated with heavy drinking.

The introduction of a minimum price would reduce the number of alcohol-related premature deaths, hospital admissions, crimes and days off work. These benefits would be apparent within a year and could be sustained thereafter. This policy would also reduce the massive public costs associated with alcohol problems.

The impact would not only be confined to heavy drinkers, many of whom would live and not die young. Imagine, safer streets, less pressure on the police, the health service and tax savings. We could see all of these very soon if the Scottish Parliament decide that making Scotland safer and healthier is more important than placating the powerful drinks industry.

The Scottish Government's proposals are an intelligent attempt at basing public policy on compelling scientific evidence. This proposal has the enthusiastic backing of all credible medical and scientific authorities.

The Scottish Government's policy deserves the support of all political parties at Holyrood. Party politics should be set aside in the interests of public health.

&#149 Martin Plant is professor of addiction atudies in the Alcohol and Health Research Unit at the University of the West of England.