Transcript Minimum Pricing in Scotland

Minimum Pricing in Scotland
Dr Evelyn Gillan
Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland
AFS is Scotland’s national alcohol charity working to
reduce the health and social harm caused by alcohol.
Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Bill
• Minimum pricing
• Ban on quantity discounts in off-sales
• Restrictions on promotional activity in off-sales
• Provisions for social responsibility levy
• Provisions for local Boards re off sales to under 21s.
Policy Memorandum
• “The objective of minimum pricing is to protect and improve public
health by reducing alcohol consumption.”
• “The Scottish Government considers that quantity discounts are
contrary to the licensing objectives regardless of whether they apply
to on-sales or off-sales.”
• “The objective of conditions on the location of drinks promotions is to
help emphasise that alcohol is no ordinary commodity.”
• “Alcohol retailers and licensed premises whose activities can impact
negatively on the wider community should contribute towards the
cost of this impact.”
Current Situation
• MSPs have voted in favour of Bill proceeding to Stage 2.
• An amendment to remove minimum pricing has been
lodged by the Conservatives.
• SNP Government requires the support of Liberal
Democrats plus two Greens and one Independent to get
minimum pricing approved.
• Ban on quantity discounts likely to go through.
Opposition to Minimum Pricing
• Sustained lobbying by some sectors of the industry
against minimum pricing.
• Arguments used are that it is illegal; will penalise
moderate drinkers; will disproportionately affect poorer
people and cost jobs.
• Party political interest overtaking public health interest.
• Less effective alternatives being proposed i.e. ban on
selling alcohol below the cost of duty and VAT.
Scientific Support for Minimum Pricing
• “There is extensive and consistent evidence that raising
the price of alcohol reduces alcohol related harm.” [WHO
Regional Office for Europe, September 2009]
• “Minimum pricing should be introduced to reduce alcohol
consumption as part of a wider policy aimed at changing
attitudes to alcohol.” [UK Health Committee Alcohol Inquiry January 2010]
• “There is extensive evidence (within the published
literature and from the economic analysis undertaken to
support this guidance) to justify the introduction of a
minimum price per unit.” [National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 2010]
Growing the Evidence Base (1)
[Findings from analysis of data from the Food and Expenditure Survey 2007
undertaken by Professor Anne Ludbrook, Health Economics Research Unit,
University of Aberdeen]
• All income groups purchase low-price alcohol
• Lower income groups do not purchase more low-price
alcohol than other income groups
• Low-income households are less likely to purchase any
alcohol.
• Middle income groups appear to purchase most of the
lowest price alcohol.
Growing the Evidence Base (2)
[Findings from analysis of consumption patterns across different income
groups, Analytical Services Division, Scottish Government, 2010]
• Low income drinkers are most likely to drink nothing,
very little or very heavily.
• 23% of the lowest income group don’t drink at all
compared to 7% in the most affluent group.
• 57% of the lowest income group drink on average 4.9
units per week.
• Those with the highest incomes are more likely to drink
hazardously but harmful drinkers in the lowest income
group drink significantly more than harmful drinkers in
the highest income group.
Growing the Evidence Base (3)
• The overall approach a government takes to alcohol
policy will impact on outcomes for children and young
people.
• An alcohol policy formulated by public health interests
will seek to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective
factors.
• Policies that aim to reduce overall consumption in the
population by imposing controls on price and availability
are central to improving outcomes for children and young
people. [Untold Damage 2009]
From Strategies to Action
• If reducing alcohol harm is the desired outcome – then
policy advocacy in members states, in Europe and
globally should stay focussed on alcohol control
measures.
• Agree some key measures that we want action on i.e.
price, availability and marketing.
• Learn from tobacco control movement about building
effective advocacy coalitions.