Scottish docs: 'end deals'

Scottish doctors have called for an end to cheap supermarket booze promotions.

Pressure on the Scottish off-trade has intensified this month after Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill slammed the off-trade for failing to treat alcohol differently 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.

The BMA 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, encouraging 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 has resulted in alcohol being cheaper than bottled water in some cases."

BMA Scotland chairman Dr Peter Terry said: "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."