Scotland has a 'once in a generation chance'

The SNP Government has published its bill to help tackle Scotland’s problem with alcohol.

Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary said Scotland has a 'once in a generation chance' to tackle the country's alcohol problems. She said radical measures rooted in evidence were needed to help reduce the £2.25 billion cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland's public services and economy.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"The Alcohol Bill represents a once in a generation chance to turn around Scotland's drink problems.

"The 3,000 deaths, 42,000 hospital stays and 110,000 GP visits linked to alcohol annually are causing misery for families and communities, burdening our public services and sapping our economic potential.

"But simply acknowledging we have a problem is not enough. Now is the time for action. These targeted measures get to the heart of the problem - particularly addressing the rock-bottom pricing of low-grade ciders, lagers and spirits favoured by problem drinkers. No-one can seriously argue that selling strong drink for pocket money prices isn't fuelling heavy consumption.

"The eyes of the world are on Scotland to show that we have the courage to be bold for the sake of public health. I would urge everyone to unite behind this Bill."

Commenting on opposition to the minimum pricing proposals, Ms Sturgeon added:

"It is simply inexcusable that opponents have chosen not even to listen to the evidence around minimum pricing during the Bill process.

"They have dismissed out of hand the advice of all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges of Nursing, Physicians, Surgeons and GPs, Faculty of Public Health, British Liver Trust, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and many others at the sharp end of dealing with alcohol misuse.

"While we have never said minimum pricing is a 'silver bullet', all the expert opinion agrees that is can have a major impact as part of our wider package of measures. By contrast, our opponents have failed to put forward any constructive alternatives.

"The Health Committee in the Scottish Parliament will begin to take evidence shortly and I predict that the weight of evidence in this debate in favour of minimum pricing will be overwhelming. At the end of that stage, for anyone to vote against that evidence will take some very serious explanation."