MORE VOICES SPEAK UP ON MINIMUM PRICING

MORE VOICES SPEAK UP ON MINIMUM PRICING

SNP MSP Michael Matheson has today welcomed the support of children’s charities for the Government’s proposals to tackle the problem of alcohol in our society.

Children’s organisations NSPCC ChildLine, Children 1^st, Aberlour, Youthlink Scotland, Barnardo’s Scotland, Action for Children Scotland, Quarriers and Parenting across Scotland have issued a joint statement in support of minimum pricing alongside other measures in the SNP Government’s bill.

Their support, revealed in the Herald today, comes as the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), UK Faculty for Public Health and National Union of Students endorsed plans to introduce minimum pricing in the Government’s legislation.

SAMH state in their evidence to the Parliament’s health committee

“As a health promoting organisation, we would urge politicians of all parties to back plans for the minimum pricing of alcohol.”

The UK Faculty of Public Health state that:

“Tackling price and availability are the most effective alcohol policies. A
minimum price per unit of alcohol sold would have a significant impact on
alcohol consumption and reduce harm.”

And National Union of Students state that;

“NUS Scotland supports a minimum price for alcohol. We believe that minimum pricing should reflect the potential harm that the alcohol could cause and therefore agree with the principle of linking minimum price to the strength of the alcoholic drink.”

Mr Matheson,a member of the Parliament's Health Committee said:

“This new support for minimum pricing is welcome and shows that a wide spectrum of organisations see the logic of the Government’s proposal.

“Children are often the victims of our problem with alcohol and cutting consumption could bring real benefits to the families who face the human cost of Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.

“We must remember that serious and harmful drinkers often have an affect on more than just themselves

“Alongside children’s organisations support is building for the Scottish Government’s proposals from a broad section of society. I would urge all parties to consider the evidence and arguments openly and carefully as the health committee continues it’s hearings into the issue.”