Minimum Alcohol Pricing

[Doon frae Troon]

It looks like the European Court have given the go ahead for Scotland to introduce this law.

 

[Old Skier]

It looks like the European Court have given the go ahead for Scotland to introduce this law.

Some cross boarder shopping coming up then.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Good that, with this and the reduction in the drink-drive limit, the Scottish government is at least trying to reduce the consumption of strong alcohol as the level of alcoholism and problem drinking, with all their myriad associated problems, is not good.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Some cross boarder shopping coming up then.

there is that risk/likelihood - that booze warehouses wiull spring up in places just over the border - watch out Gretna.

 

[Old Skier]

SNP don't seem very keen on putting taxes on anything it's a vote loser. Are they really going to risk this when a drive over the boarder could bring things in cheaper.

 

[Kellfire]

Given the amount I spend on beer, I highly doubt such a law would ever have any impact on my beer purchasing. Anything made that cheaply is almost certainly going to be rancid.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Good that, with this and the reduction in the drink-drive limit, the Scottish government is at least trying to reduce the consumption of strong alcohol as the level of alcoholism and problem drinking, with all their myriad associated problems, is not good.

But ultimately all it needs is a little trip to England and bobs your uncle

 

[MegaSteve]

Sorry, but this smacks of doing something just to be different to rUK ...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Sorry, but this smacks of doing something just to be different to rUK ...

It is - because the rUK is doing very little

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It is - because the rUK is doing very little

No such place as rUK

Don't you mean the UK elected government

 

[Old Skier]

Sorry, but this smacks of doing something just to be different to rUK ...

They won't do it.

 

[ger147]

there is that risk/likelihood - that booze warehouses wiull spring up in places just over the border - watch out Gretna.

Gretna is the wrong side of the border for the cheap booze...

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It looks like the European Court have given the go ahead for Scotland to introduce this law.

I think this is a bit misleading

http://www.theguardian.com/society/...e-in-scotland-could-breach-eu-law-court-rules


European Court rule that blanket minimum price for alcohol is in breach of EU Free trade laws

 

[MegaSteve]

because the rUK is doing very little

I agree... But still smacks of being brought in just to be out of step with rUK...
Rather than a genuine attempt to address the 'problem'...

 

[Lord Tyrion]

This country has major alcohol issues. A & E depts get rammed at weekends with drink related patients, police get clogged up with dealing with drunks, town and city centres can be pretty unpleasant at nights and this is before we touch on health issues. If someone can do something to reduce the amount of intense drunkeness that has a real impact then good for them. This will not stop someone having the odd drink but if this, along with other measures, can reduce the real problem areas then I'm all for it.

 

[Tashyboy]

This country has major alcohol issues. A & E depts get rammed at weekends with drink related patients, police get clogged up with dealing with drunks, town and city centres can be pretty unpleasant at nights and this is before we touch on health issues. If someone can do something to reduce the amount of intense drunkeness that has a real impact then good for them. This will not stop someone having the odd drink but if this, along with other measures, can reduce the real problem areas then I'm all for it.

and I for one will not disagree with a single word of that, but the whole mentality of drinking in this country is wrong. It is the mentality of this that has to change.
it is ok for Scotland to have a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. but as has been mentioned, the scots will come to England, like the English went to France, and the Finnish travel to Estonia.
If it goes the same way as smoking, then the price eventually will stop people from drinking. That in turn wil hit sensible drinkers. Not to sure there was sensible smokers. If people don't drink or smoke for social pleasure amongst other things, then they may turn to drugs of which the EU have no control over costs.

 

[MegaSteve]

and I for one will not disagree with a single word of that, but the whole mentality of drinking in this country is wrong. It is the mentality of this that has to change.
it is ok for Scotland to have a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. but as has been mentioned, the scots will come to England, like the English went to France, and the Finnish travel to Estonia.
If it goes the same way as smoking, then the price eventually will stop people from drinking. That in turn wil hit sensible drinkers. Not to sure there was sensible smokers. If people don't drink or smoke for social pleasure amongst other things, then they may turn to drugs of which the EU have no control over costs.

Yep, it's the culture of consumption that needs addressing/changing...

Sticking a few pences on the cheep 'n cheerful stuff won't make that much of a difference...

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Tashy - You are right. One thing alone will not solve this, it needs a package of measures and a cultural change is a massive requirement. However every journey starts with a first step, (I possibly pinched that from Kung Fu, ha ha).

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

No such place as rUK

Don't you mean the UK elected government

there is when you are talking about Scottish government legislation that clearly does not apply to the rest of the UK (rUK)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

and I for one will not disagree with a single word of that, but the whole mentality of drinking in this country is wrong. It is the mentality of this that has to change.
it is ok for Scotland to have a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. but as has been mentioned, the scots will come to England, like the English went to France, and the Finnish travel to Estonia.
If it goes the same way as smoking, then the price eventually will stop people from drinking. That in turn wil hit sensible drinkers. Not to sure there was sensible smokers. If people don't drink or smoke for social pleasure amongst other things, then they may turn to drugs of which the EU have no control over costs.

I suggest that 'sensible' drinkers do not drink enough (that's why they are sensible) for even significant increases in the cost of drink to make a lot of difference. And if it did - then as sensible drinkers they would just cut down.