Alcohol Bill passed through Parliament: Focus must be on tackling abuse and harmful consumption

The Alcohol (Scotland) Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament, after the SNP's plans for indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing were thrown out yet again by the opposition parties.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, said:

"The the SNP's indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing is now completely dead in the water, having been defeated for a third time. The challenge is for all parties to come together and find real, practical solutions to tackle Scotland's drink problem. There is no 'silver bullet' to cure Scotland's over-consumption of alcohol and the most pressing need is a change of culture.

"Many responsible businesses comply with the law in selling alcohol and they should not be punished - we would rather the irresponsible licence holders were made to pay. Action on alcohol abuse must be properly targeted, because that is when it will be most effective.

"We all want to see a Scotland where alcohol is a product which can be enjoyed harmlessly if taken in moderation. The focus should be on tackling abuse and harmful consumption and we have a duty to get the balance right."

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