Other solutions to drink abuse needed

The evidence used to formulate this policy is based on a paper model, not on controlled published research.

The uncomfortable relationship between this model and activist support for a minimum price can be illustrated by the following: some time ago at a meeting in the Scottish Parliament I asked one of the main exponents of a minimum price why his figures for liver disease did not correlate with his figures for alcohol consumption in Scotland. He said that he had noticed this but ploughed on with his proposals for a minimum price.

Excessive alcohol consumption should be managed in our society. All the approaches that are used to curb excessive drinking in the poor and better-off areas of our society should be given equal attention.

It would be unfortunate if, in five years’ time when the sun has set on our minimum price policy, it was found that minimum pricing had not worked and no other solutions were available to manage the social problems of which excessive alcohol consumption may be one contributing factor.

(Prof) Geoff Palmer

Waulkmill Drive

Penicuik

The first steps have been taken in dealing with Scotland’s dangerous relationship with alcohol, and health secretary Nicola Sturgeon’s determination on this issue is impressive and comforting.

Alcohol is extremely cheap to produce, so putting a price on it per unit to inhibit its attraction is logical and sensible.

But it is useful to understand what has happened to our popular drinks over the last several decades.

The alcohol by volume (ABV), even in the drinks we commonly consume in pubs, has increased by more than 50 per cent in most cases since the 1960s, with an increase in intoxication and the resultant problems.

I believe several things will happen now as a result of this legislation. The poisonous concoctions masquerading as ciders and the fruity concoctions with indeterminate spirit base will shoot up in price and lose their attraction.

Their production will become commercially marginal and they could disappear from the shelves. And the major brewers will drop the ABV in their products to more moderate and sensible levels to keep the price down.

The next step is to take alcohol out of supermarkets and put off-sales back into pubs and licensed grocers. These have no interest whatsoever in selling oceans of alcohol cheaply.

David McEwan Hill

Dalinlongart

Sandbank, Argyll

John Eoin Douglas (Letters, 15 May) is partially correct in that the Scottish Government’s proposed 50p per unit of alcohol is tokenism, as the whole idea of minimum pricing ignores the concepts of free will and personal responsibility and, thus, is doomed to fail in its supposed goal of curbing alcohol abuse.

However, it is only “optimal” to ban alcohol completely if one’s goal is to establish a totalitarian state as an end in itself.

America introduced prohibition in 1919 and the net result was that alcohol consumption increased and organised crime was able to establish itself to such an extent that America has yet to recover to this day from the policy.

Moreover, the same measures have been imposed on drug consumption in this country and can hardly have been said to be a success.

Bruce Crichton

Victoria Road

Falkirk

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon seems intent on going ahead with a minimum 50p per unit for drink. To help her cause she states: “A teenager can buy enough alcohol to kill themselves for about a fiver.”

What a stupid comment. Money won’t deter a teenager who would put himself or herself in that position.

People who have experience of alcohol problems always make the point that money is not a deterrent; education about alcohol is more important.

Politicians should not be allowed to treat adults like children.

They talk about saving 500 lives. How many lives will be affected by violence, house break-ins, stealing from shops (we will pick up the bills) by those needing money for drink?

It will be working-class areas and people that take the brunt of it all.

Nicola Sturgeon should remember that at the next election.

John Connor

David Henderson Court

Dunfermline