Alcohol consumption in Scotland

The Scottish Government produced a report by NHS Health Scotland regarding alcohol consumption on Wednesday. The results naturally don't look good.

And some shops are selling drink above 4% volume at knock down prices. For instance a 3 litre bottle of 7% vol white cider at £3.30 at one of my local stores.

What we must do as Scots is to change our uneasy relationship with alcohol and be more self-critical about how much we drink in the evening.

And I am as guilty as most folk with my drinking patterns.

However I have finally, albeit reluctantly, decided to support the Scottish Government initiative on minimum pricing.

It will certainly reduce my alcohol consumption if prices are raised.

And so I take my hat off to the SNP Administration on this one.

Cheers

Larry

See Below

Alcohol sales at all time high

31/08/2011

Alcohol sales are now 23 per cent higher in Scotland than in England and Wales, the biggest difference ever recorded during the 17 years measured since 1994.

The new figure is contained in a report published today by NHS Health Scotland.

The publication shows that on average 2.2 more litres of pure alcohol per adult were sold in Scotland than in England in 2010 - 11.8 litres versus 9.6 litres.

This equates to 22.8 units of alcohol per adult per week in Scotland, above the recommended upper weekly limit of 21 units for men.

In addition almost 2.5 times more vodka was sold per adult in Scotland through off-sales than in England and Wales

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:

"For too long Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol has gone unaddressed. These shock statistics show that the difference between alcohol consumption in Scotland and England and Wales is now at its highest rate for 17 years. This is a situation that must be tackled head on.

"The impact of excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.56 billion each year. That's £900 for every adult.

"We have already taken bold action against this most pressing of problems. Our Alcohol Framework outlines a package of over 40 measures to reduce alcohol related harm.

"In addition we have banned quantity discounts and restricted promotions in off-sales, measures which will take effect from October this year.

"However, these figures published today alongside the three per cent increase in alcohol related deaths reported earlier this month, make it clear to me that further action is needed still. Evidence shows us that minimum pricing is the most efficient and effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol related harms. That is why we will introduce a Minimum Pricing Bill as a priority in the Autumn.

"Minimum pricing can and will help us to redress the balance when it comes to our unhealthy relationship with alcohol."

Need for responsible drinking

The Scottish government has pledged to consider "any workable alternatives" to a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

The move came after an all-party meeting at Holyrood aimed at tackling Scotland's drink problem. That is what the bbc Scotland website said with the headline Scottish parties gather for alcohol summit.

And so minimum unit pricing may not win the day for the Scottish Government. Perhaps by the time the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill passes through the Scots Parliament we will have to settle for a floor price. This is what the opposition parties want and for Holyrood to work with the UK government.

What is clear there needs to be an end to the culture of drinking cheap booze such as strong drink like some ciders being on sale in the shops and supermarkets. Many of us in Scotland have an unhealthy relationship with drink. I know from experience that if the cost of alcoholic drink goes up then I will buy less. And so there is a link between consumption and price of that I am convinced. However I mainly buy lower strength beers in supermarkets because it suits my budget and you don't get drunk on it so easily. But like many folk on a budget I drink at home because of the cost of a night out at the pub. Perhaps I am no different to others and we all need to re educate ourselves about alcoholic drink in Scotland. After all it should be easier at home to reduce consumption of drink and remain a moderate drinker.

Slainte
Larry