Alcohol pricing: Time called on SNP plans

This week has seen a watershed in the debate over how price should be used to curtail excess alcohol consumption.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader, Murdo Fraser MSP says:

"Now that the SNP has finally published the minimum unit price it wants to apply to all alcohol products, a detailed appraisal of its impact can be made. Apart from the fact that the suggested 45p can be raised further in the future, more of the unintended consequences can now be quantified.

"The fact that some problem drinks will be unaffected, and others such as many whiskies will rocket in price, shows that the SNP policy of blanket, indiscriminate minimum pricing is a blunt instrument. Far better that we target problem drinks and target help at problem drinkers.

"But the even more devastating evidence from the SNP's announcement is the news that their move would cost consumers an estimated £236 million a year. Whilst some of that will be extra tax and duty, by far the lion's share will be in extra revenue to the retailers. Millions of pounds a year will line the coffers of the supermarkets whilst consumption will fall by less than a pint of beer a week.

"The case for using price a different way is now compelling. As the Scottish Conservatives have consistently said, alongside banning below cost price sales, the most effective method is to target problem drinks with extra tax and duty on a UK wide basis. This avoids responsible drinkers being penalised, would be more effective at reducing consumption, stop any notion of "booze cruises" to Carlisle or Berwick and mean that any extra revenue goes to the taxpayer.

"It may well be that the SNP finds it unpalatable to embrace a UK wide solution due to its narrow view of the world. But surely tens of millions of pounds for maintaining police numbers or NHS alcohol action and rehabilitation is far preferable to hundreds of millions of pounds lining the pockets of the biggest supermarkets?

"Common sense, economics, and public opinion have all called time on the SNP's plans. It is time for them to join the growing consensus that there is a better way."

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