Scottish alcohol crackdown set for 2009
The Scottish government has today confirmed plans to introduce a minimum price on a unit of alcohol and ban loss-leading promotions.
As widely reported yesterday, the government is also proposing to raise the minimum age for buying alcohol in the off-trade from 18 to 21.
Other plans to be consulted on include a "social responsibility" charge on pubs and supermarkets to "help pay for the consequences of alcohol misuse".
However the consultation document says small businesses "where the sale of alcohol is incidental to the main purpose of the business" should escape the levy.
Plans for alcohol-only checkouts in large supermarkets and off-licences are also included.
Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for health and wellbeing, said: "Now is the time for action to defuse the health time-bomb alcohol misuse is storing up for the future.
"Setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol will mean price better reflects the strength of alcoholic drinks. This will end the heavy discounting which allows strong drink to be sold cheaper than bottled water."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Alcohol is part of Scottish culture, and we value the contribution of the industry to our economy and national life, but we've got our drinking out of kilter.
"It's not the drink, it's how we're drinking it. I believe these proposals will help us build on the changes brought in by the Licensing Act, such as ending happy hours in pubs and clubs and bringing in separate display areas for alcohol."
The government said it expects many of the measures to become law to coincide with the new Licensing Act coming into force on September 1 next year.
To view the full consultation document click on the link on the right.
