ALASTAIR CAMPBELL OPENS UP DEBATE ON ANTI-SOCIAL DRINKING and ALCOHOL PRICING

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL OPENS UP DEBATE ON ANTI-SOCIAL DRINKING and ALCOHOL PRICING

SNP MSP Michael Matheson - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee - has welcomed comments by the former spokesperson for Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, on his personal blog where he advances an argument that progress on tackling the problem of anti-social drinking can only be made with government action on labelling AND pricing.

In a post headlined "Do we need same approach to booze as smoking?" he writes:

"But ultimately the progress made on smoking has been the result of government action, much of it controversial and unpopular at the time, about labelling, pricing and finally banning.

"I'm not saying for sure that we should be going down the same route for alcohol. But we're at least going to have to think about some pretty significant change, in the face of considerable public and industry opposition, if we are serious about the kind of cultural shift this issue seems to need."

Commenting Mr Matheson said:

"Whilst Mr Campbell has not yet gone as far as fully endorsing minimum pricing he does leave open the door for that option to be considered. It is a very welcome intervention and one I hope the Labour members in the Scottish Parliament will consider.

"As someone who openly admits his own challenge with alcohol and its negative effects he is someone who can speak fully from experience and his words carry some weight.

“There is increasing support for minimum pricing across society and I hope the Labour party will reconsider the stance they have taken in light of Mr Campbell's intervention.

“This issue should be above party politics and based on the advice of the experts.

“With support growing across the medical profession, the police, Scotland’s churches, the licensed trade and the policy supported by international bodies like the World Health Organisation it is time for Scotland to take the lead and tackle our problems head on.”