HEALTH BOARD OFFERS SUPPORT FOR MINIMUM PRICING

HEALTH BOARD OFFERS SUPPORT FOR MINIMUM PRICING

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed the support of NHS
Highland for the Scottish Government's bill to introduce minimum pricing
for alcohol.

The measure is aimed at reducing the damage caused to Scottish society
by the availability of low-priced drinks and special offers from some
retailers.

In a letter to Mr Thompson, Garry Coutts, chair of NHS Highland, states:
"While it is a minority of people who drink to excess and it is clear
many people use alcohol sensibly, the scale of the problem is such that
my board believes that measures must be taken to try to reduce excessive
consumption.

"We are firmly of the view that only a minimum pricing strategy has the
ability to do this."

The board's survey of prices in the Highlands shows that it is lagers,
cider and cheap vodka that will be effected by a minimum price - not
high quality products like whisky.

Mr Coutts' comments which were accompanied by a survey of prices in the
Highlands were applauded by Mr Thompson.

"Mr Coutts' letter and the view taken by the board of NHS Highland comes
as part of a growing ground-swell of support for the measure and
vindicates the position of the SNP and the Scottish Government.

"Highland are the first health board to come out publicly to back the
policy but I am sure there are many others with the same view.

"As NHS Highland's research shows minimum pricing would have little
impact on the majority of responsible drinkers. Supporting the position
of the Scottish Government, health professionals, police and the
licensed trade.

"Amid predictions from opportunistic Labour, Conservative and Liberal
Democrat politicians that minimum pricing would have little effect on
the damage caused by excessive drinking, the board of NHS Highland has
looked at the measure and come down firmly in favour of the move. I
hope those opposition politicians in the Highlands who stand against
this common sense proposal will engage with Mr Coutts and understand the
importance of tackling Scotland's problem with alcohol."