Scotland focuses on alcohol addiction

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by Change | 2 Mar 2009

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The Scottish government has launched new plans to stamp out cut-price alcohol sales in an effort to reduce alcohol addiction in the country.

Scotland is looking to crack down on alcohol promotions in a bid to tackle problems of addiction.

The Scottish government has set out plans to bring an end to cut-price offers on alcoholic beverages so that people will find it harder to get their hands on alcohol in a move ministers hope will reduce the number of people suffering with alcohol addictions.

Among the measures under consideration include plans to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol, making stronger drinks much more expensive.

"The extent of alcohol misuse in Scotland and its impact on us all means the need for a new approach is overwhelming," the government said.

Alcohol-related illness is believed to cost the Scottish economy £2.25 billion every year in lost working days and the impact on the health service.

The Scottish government said alcohol had become 70 per cent more affordable since 1980, driving a 19 per cent increase in consumption over the same period.

The plans follow a recent announcement in Salem, in the US, that would see tax on beer hiked by 1,900 per cent, with the contributions being given over to rehab clinics and other services aimed at tackling addiction.

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