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11/11/2010
Scottish Reject Minimum Pricing On Alcohol
The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland have today expressed deep disappointment over the Parliament’s rejection of minimum pricing during the final debate on the Scottish Alcohol Bill.
Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "This is a missed opportunity for our parliamentarians who had a real opportunity to drive forward public health policy, not just in Scotland but in the rest of the world. All politicians acknowledge that price is a significant factor in the level of alcohol consumption, so it is particularly disappointing that opponents voted down minimum pricing but did not propose any credible alternative.
“I am frustrated and disappointed that the debate on such a serious health issue has been polarised and that many opposition MSPs had made their minds up before even considering the evidence. “The inclusion of a ‘sunset clause’ offered an opportunity to test the effectiveness of minimum pricing and provide doubters with the reassurances they had initially sought. Sadly, now we will never know. "
Earlier this week, the BMA published a letter with 165 signatories from across society calling on politicians to “put party politics to one side and make a positive choice for Scotland by backing minimum pricing of alcohol”.
Dr Keighley concluded: “I hope that this is not the end of the debate on how we tackle the increasing affordability of alcohol, but signals the beginning of a mature, non-partisan approach to address Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.”
The BMA also called on politicians to support an amendment to ban supermarket reward points for alcohol.
(BMcN/GK)
Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "This is a missed opportunity for our parliamentarians who had a real opportunity to drive forward public health policy, not just in Scotland but in the rest of the world. All politicians acknowledge that price is a significant factor in the level of alcohol consumption, so it is particularly disappointing that opponents voted down minimum pricing but did not propose any credible alternative.
“I am frustrated and disappointed that the debate on such a serious health issue has been polarised and that many opposition MSPs had made their minds up before even considering the evidence. “The inclusion of a ‘sunset clause’ offered an opportunity to test the effectiveness of minimum pricing and provide doubters with the reassurances they had initially sought. Sadly, now we will never know. "
Earlier this week, the BMA published a letter with 165 signatories from across society calling on politicians to “put party politics to one side and make a positive choice for Scotland by backing minimum pricing of alcohol”.
Dr Keighley concluded: “I hope that this is not the end of the debate on how we tackle the increasing affordability of alcohol, but signals the beginning of a mature, non-partisan approach to address Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.”
The BMA also called on politicians to support an amendment to ban supermarket reward points for alcohol.
(BMcN/GK)
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