Scottish doctors want new laws to tackle alcohol problems
New laws must be introduced to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland, doctors have argued.
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has responded to the government's proposals on tackling alcohol-related problems by claiming that the drinks industry's voluntary measures have failed because of a "conflict of interest".
Instead it calls for immediate legislation and practical action.
However, the off-trade is very much the focus for the BMA. In its response it calls for an end to deep discounting and loss leading promotions, as well as two-for-one offers.
The BMA also supports the debate around raising the minimum age for off-trade sales to 21.
And it supports separate checkouts for alcohol sales in supermarkets.
It also calls for prices to be increased "in direct correlation to the alcohol cotent of each product".
Dr Peter Terry, chairman of BMA Scotland said: "The facts are simple - voluntary measures implemented by the drinks industry are not effective and do not reduce the damage of alcohol misuse in Scotland.
"The Scottish Government must re-evaluate its relationship with the drinks industry which clearly has a conflict of interest and is flouting the current voluntary measures."
However Terry admitted that "no single policy will solve the problem".
He added: "If the Scottish government wants to tackle Scotland's drinking problem, it needs a comprehensive strategy that is fully resourced and followed through.
"We need to let retailers and the drinks industry know we mean business. Selling to alcohol to under-18s and irresponsible alcohol promotion will not be ignored in Scotland any longer."
A similar consultation, being conducted by Department of Health, is currently underway in England. The point of the consultation is to form a policy to encourage people to "drink sensibly" and "prevent irresponsible practices".
