Scottish Government Industry-Bashing Hides Lack of Strategy
17 Jun 2008
ACS has reacted to the Scottish Government’s alcohol plan criticising the policy proposals. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Todays announcement by the Scottish Government is industry bashing and masks a complete failure to build a long term strategy rooted in evidence and aimed at changing behaviour.”
Proposals announced include:
• creating a new two tier age restriction on alcohol sales, making it illegal for a Scottish off licence to sell alcohol to anyone under 21, but retaining a minimum age of 18 for drinking in a pub or nightclub
• introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol
• banning promotions in off licences
• introducing a new levy on alcohol retailers
Mr Lowman continued: “The two tier age restriction is unworkable, incoherent and completely discriminatory.”
“In Scotland an adult under 21 can work full time, serve in the army and get married but they can’t be trusted to buy a beer from the shop. It is a bizarre assumption that drinking in a pub and nightclub is more responsible than drinking at home. Nor is there any coherent evidence that increasing the minimum age for drinking alcohol will change attitudes about drinking amongst young people.
“This policy is pure and simple discrimination against any adults who are under 21, as well as against off licence retailers. Local shops in Scotland will also be expected to refuse alcohol sales to 20 year olds who have been legally allowed to purchase it for two years.”
On pricing and promotions Mr Lowman said: “There still remains no evidence that shows how restrictions on pricing and promotions link to alcohol related harm. Ministers have pressed ahead, preoccupied with finding a way to restrict the trade without an understanding of what the impact will be on alcohol related harm in Scotland. The big loser will be the responsible Scottish alcohol consumer.”
On a levy: “Scottish retailers are already set to pay licence fees that are way in excess of any other part of the country. The introduction of a new tax is punitive and indiscriminate. The thousands of responsible retailers in Scotland are being wrongly singled out as to blame for alcohol related harm.”
ACS will work closely with its partner organisation in Scotland, the Scottish Grocers Federation, to fight the proposals, initially through taking part in the consultation process that closes on 9th September 2008
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
Proposals announced include:
• creating a new two tier age restriction on alcohol sales, making it illegal for a Scottish off licence to sell alcohol to anyone under 21, but retaining a minimum age of 18 for drinking in a pub or nightclub
• introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol
• banning promotions in off licences
• introducing a new levy on alcohol retailers
Mr Lowman continued: “The two tier age restriction is unworkable, incoherent and completely discriminatory.”
“In Scotland an adult under 21 can work full time, serve in the army and get married but they can’t be trusted to buy a beer from the shop. It is a bizarre assumption that drinking in a pub and nightclub is more responsible than drinking at home. Nor is there any coherent evidence that increasing the minimum age for drinking alcohol will change attitudes about drinking amongst young people.
“This policy is pure and simple discrimination against any adults who are under 21, as well as against off licence retailers. Local shops in Scotland will also be expected to refuse alcohol sales to 20 year olds who have been legally allowed to purchase it for two years.”
On pricing and promotions Mr Lowman said: “There still remains no evidence that shows how restrictions on pricing and promotions link to alcohol related harm. Ministers have pressed ahead, preoccupied with finding a way to restrict the trade without an understanding of what the impact will be on alcohol related harm in Scotland. The big loser will be the responsible Scottish alcohol consumer.”
On a levy: “Scottish retailers are already set to pay licence fees that are way in excess of any other part of the country. The introduction of a new tax is punitive and indiscriminate. The thousands of responsible retailers in Scotland are being wrongly singled out as to blame for alcohol related harm.”
ACS will work closely with its partner organisation in Scotland, the Scottish Grocers Federation, to fight the proposals, initially through taking part in the consultation process that closes on 9th September 2008
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.