Scots docs slam cheap shop booze
Scottish doctors have called for an end to cheap supermarket booze promotions.
The pressure on the off-trade in Scotland has intensified this month after Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill also slammed the off-trade for treating alcohol no different from bananas or soap powder.
The British Medical Association (BMA) outlined a five point plan to cut alcohol harm in Scotland and top of its hit-list is the off-trade.
It wants the 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act, "to end deep discounting of alcohol for sale in off licences, supermarkets and other off sales outlets".
It said: "Cheap drinks promotions which encourage people to buy more alcohol, particularly in supermarkets and off licences must be controlled. Some supermarkets are running alcohol products as a loss leader which in some cases has resulted in alcohol being cheaper than bottled water."
But it is not all good news for the on-trade as the BMA also wants research undertaken into how "pricing mechanisms could be used to discourage heavy consumption" - in other words higher taxation or minimum pricing.
It also wants an end to alcohol sponsorship of sports teams, events and entertainment aimed at youngsters, legislation for alcohol labelling rather than voluntary agreements and a reduction of the drink driving limit.
"Most people enjoy a drink and we don't want to end the right of individuals to have that choice, however we want to encourage adults to drink in moderation than drinking to get drunk," said chairman of BMA Scotland Dr Peter Terry.
"Worryingly, more and more teenagers are drinking at an earlier age and we must do more to combat this trend.
"Increasing price is one part of a strategy that can deter children from purchasing alcohol."
