Date: 12 January 2010 BROCKLEBANK: ‘MINIMUM PRICING WILL BE INEFFECTIVE IN COMBATING FIFE’S ALCOHOL PROBLEM’ A new report from York University has estimated that problems associated with alcohol costs Scottish taxpayers around £3.56 billion per year. This further highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to be found to combat Scotland’s drink problem.
The issue of combating alcohol abuse effectively is particularly important in Fife where the social cost of the problem has been shown to be very high, and where the spirits giant Diageo is a major employer.
Commenting, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Ted Brocklebank, said;
“Scotland’s problem with alcohol abuse is well-documented but the issue is particularly pertinent in Fife where the alcohol-related death rate is well above the UK average at 139% and where alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour is among the highest in Scotland. With alcohol misuse now estimated to cost every adult in Fife £900 per year it is absolutely vital that we urgently and effectively introduce measures to reduce the social and financial impact that alcohol is costing our communities in Fife.
“The SNP Government’s plans to introduce blanket minimum pricing of alcohol will do little to meet the challenge at hand. It will merely penalise responsible drinkers and do little to target the drinks that are at the root of the problem. What we need are measures which are based in evidence, not hope.
“Scottish Conservatives want to see an increase in tax on drinks such as alcopops and strong ciders, stronger enforcement of current laws and a ban on retailers selling alcohol at below cost price. These evidence based proposals will actually be effective in curbing alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour.
”With Diageo being one of the biggest employers in East Fife it is also very important that measures are not adopted that will damage the area’s spirits industry. The Scotch Whisky Association has said that the SNP’s proposals for minimum pricing will cost the Scottish industry a massive £600 million a year in lost export sales. This is would be a ridiculous price to pay for a policy that will have little effect in actually tackling Scotland’s drink problem.” | 
