Scotland confirms minimum price plans

Minimum pricing and restricting off-sales to over-21s have been proposed for Scotland in the UK's most far-reaching alcohol policy of recent times.

An Alcohol Disorder Zone-style "social responsibility fee"​ for some venues, alcohol-only checkouts, and ending drinks promotions that "encourage impulse buying of extra alcohol"​ are also proposed.

Pubs could also be banned from displaying adverts for drinks promotions that are visible outside the venue.

I can't see how you can have minimum pricing in one part of the UK and not others​John GroganLabour MP

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chairman John Grogan said the Scottish Government's Consultation on Alcohol Misuse sets the agenda for the UK - and Westminster will have to respond.

Grogan said: "I think the impact of this on alcohol policy will be felt other than just in Scotland.​

"It provides an agenda for action, perhaps the most comprehensive agenda that's been articulated in the UK.

"It would be up to both the trade and the UK Government to say that if they're not going to support these measures, why not - particularly on pricing, where there will be a lot of pressure for the Government to act.

"I can't see how you can have minimum pricing in one part of the UK and not others."

Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne backed called for minimum pricing but criticised plans to raise the alcohol buying age in shops.

"If someone can be in the army at 18 but can't buy a beer, it seems daft.​

"And what happens if an 18 year-old drinks in a pub and wants to take bottles home with him?"

Noctis executive director Paul Smith feared the policy on age could be extended to the on-trade.

"It's probably not going to do us any favours in the long term,"​ Smith said.

"It's an entirely draconian measure for what is a minority problem."​

Earlier this month UK Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the Government would be "prepared to take action"​ on pricing and promotions.

The consultation ends on 9 September and the Scottish Government wants the plans to come into effect in September 2009, with the introduction of the country's new Licensing Act.

Scottish culture​

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Alcohol is part of Scottish culture, and we value the contribution of the industry to our economy and national life, but we've got our drinking out of kilter. ​

"It's not the drink, it's how we're drinking it. I believe these proposals will help us build on the changes brought in by the Licensing Act, such as ending happy hours in pubs and clubs and bringing in separate display areas for alcohol.

"They can kick-start the long term cultural shift in our society that we need.

"For example our Social Responsibility Fee can help pay for the costs of alcohol misuse, while minimum pricing will reduce the availability of high strength low cost alcohol."

Key proposals:​

• Raising the minimum age for off-sales alcohol purchases to 21

• Setting a minimum price at which a unit of alcohol can be sold

• Ending "three for the price of two"​ type promotions, which encourage impulse buying of extra alcohol

• A "social responsibility fee"​ for some alcohol retailers to help pay for the consequences of alcohol misuse and reduce the burden on the general taxpayer

• Introducing alcohol-only checkouts in large off-sales premises, so that alcohol, like cigarettes, is thought of as a special case and not "just another product"​

• Confirmation of a record £85m increase in alcohol prevention, treatment and support services, bringing total spend to £120m over the next three years.

Read the full consultation document here​.​