MORE SUPPORT FOR ALCOHOL STRATEGY

MORE SUPPORT FOR ALCOHOL STRATEGY

THREE NHS BOARDS BACK SNP ON ALCOHOL

NHS LANARKSHIRE, BORDERS AND FIFE SUPPORT MINIMUM PRICING

Representatives from three more NHS areas have given their backing to the Scottish Government’s alcohol bill with representatives of NHS Fife, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders contacting MSPs to support the Government’s proposals to tackle alcohol related health problems in Scotland, including through the introduction of minimum pricing.

Highlighting the benefits of minimum pricing over the use of tax and duty to determine prices Public Health Consultant Dr Mike Rowarth at NHS Fife states:

“Taxation as a measure of controlling price and the prevention of sales of alcohol below tax and duty are unlikely to have the same effect on alcohol availability and consumption. Some UK retailers have paid the tax on behalf of consumers and the enforcement tax would be equivalent to the implementation of a 20 pence minimum price per unit of alcohol sold. That would be ineffective in terms of impact on consunmption: a price of at least 40 pence per unit is required for a significant effect on consumption.”

Responding to SNP MSP Aileen Campbell, the Chairman of NHS Lanarkshire highlighted local research stating that there is 1 alcohol related death each day, with £14 million spent on policing alcohol related crime and a further £14 million lost to industry in Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire also state that alcohol is a factor in 42% of traffic deaths, 40% of drownings and 46% of fires.

Chairman of NHS Lanarkshire Ken Corsar said:

“The policies presented within the National Framework for Alcohol are closely aligned to the recommendations of the World Health organisation which concluded that the most effective way of reducing alcohol related harm at a national level was the introduction of policies that increase the price of alcohol, limit access alter the drinking environment and deter drinking and driving.”

In a further letter to Christine Grahame MSP Gastroenterologists covering the NHS Borders area urged MSPs to support the Scottish Government’s strategy including minimum pricing.

SNP MSP for Central Fife Tricia Marwick said:

“Scotland’s health professionals are on the frontline of Scotland’s problems with alcohol.

“The increasing support for minimum pricing from doctors and specialists shows the importance of taking action to tackle our relationship with alcohol.”

SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Aileen Campbell added:

“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 Wold Health Organisation it is time for Scotland to take the lead and tackle our problems head on.”