Asda to stop selling 'extra free' beers and ciders

Asda will stop selling any beers or cider that offer "extra free" in Scotland from 30 September.

The supermarket giant has taken the step to remove any beer and cider, which for example offers consumers 13.9% free, in response to the Scottish Government's proposals to introduce minimum pricing and ban promotions.

A survey, conducted by Asda, of 10,000 customers revealed that 61% oppose the introduction of a minimum price.

Almost 60% said that a minimum price or ban on promotions would not be effective in lowering alcohol consumption.

Three out of four also rejected proposals to force them to buy alcohol from a separate counter.

"Customers do not believe the measures will achieve the outcome Government wants," said corporate affairs director Paul Kelly.

"Tough new changes to the display of alcohol and the times we can sell to shoppers are already due in 2009 — we believe that we should let one set of reforms take place before making further changes.

"While everyone accepts that some people drink too much and the pressures this puts on public services and the public purse, penalising the vast majority of shoppers — in these tough economic times — is hugely unpopular.

"We are keen to work with the Government to reach common ground on how best to deal with alcohol abuse. That's why today we are announcing that in Scotland from 30 September 2008, we will no longer sell beer or cider lines with 'free extra' product in them (e.g. cans of beer with 13.5% free)."