Brewer blasts Scottish alcohol proposals

Scottish proposals to introduce minimum pricing and restrict off-trade sales undermine individual judgement and accountability — the fundamentals of lasting behavioural change.

That is the stark warning from brewer SAB Miller after yesterday's announcement by the Scottish Government (Scots confirm minimum price plans​).

It believes that the proposals are ineffective and represent a missed opportunity to tackle problem drinking.

The brewer wants the Scottish Government to focus on positive behavioural change through education and greater emphasis on parental control and tougher enforcement of existing laws.

Although SAB Miller said it would not be directly hit by minimum pricing, as it only sells premium products in the UK, it said that the policy "undermines the most fundamental aspects of a free market economy".

Kristin Wolfe, SAB head of Alcohol Policy, said: "In other countries where minimum pricing has been imposed, brewers with economy brands have benefited significantly from charging more for their beer. Minimum prices will, however, disproportionately affect moderate drinkers and will do little to change the behaviour of heavy drinkers."

Wolfe added that raising the off-trade purchase age to 21 was "illogical" if alcohol can still be consumed at 18 and that proposals to charge venues a social responsibility fee for policing costs are "unworkable, unnecessary and misguided".

"Our primary concerns with the Scottish Government proposals are that they focus on blunt and ineffective measures that fail to target the problems where they occur," said Wolfe.

"Instead they impact all drinkers irrespective of whether they drink sensibly or not."