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Labour rejects minimum alcohol bill

Posted by joanna20 on November 27, 2009

By Joanna Park & Natalie Deacon

A Labour MSP has condemned the SNP minimum alcohol pricing bill as ‘unworkable.’

Labour MSP John Park said: “The proposal brought to us by the SNP was unworkable and unfortunately while labour did suggest the idea of a commission, this was rejected by the SNP, so unfortunately we are in the position we are today.

“We intend to work closely with the SNP combat Scotland’s binge drinking culture. ”

The SNP set out proposals yesterday, backed by health campaigners, police and publicans, claiming the measure would saves lives. 

The bill, which the Tories and Lib Dems have previously rejected, aims to tackle the binge drinking culture in Scotland.

The plan proposes to introduce a minimum price of 40p per 10 millilitre unit of alcohol for drink sold in supermarkets and off-sales. 

It is estimated that minimum pricing would lead to a bottle of own-label supermarket vodka rising from the £7 to around £10.50 and an average bottle of wine would cost at least £3.60.

Christina McKenzie from the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland said: “We are disappointed at the position Labour has taken in advance of evidence to the Health Committee. This flies in the face of all the advice and evidence from Public Health and other experts who have to deal with alcohol related harm.

“We strongly believe that establishing a minimum price for alcohol is the most important element of the range of proposals by the Government in the Alcohol Bill, and its rejection by Labour is a major blow which could set back attempts to make a positive change to Scotland’s drinking culture.”

Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the world and alcohol misuse is thought to cost the country £2.25billion a year in services and lost production.  Scotland also has one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease and cirrhoses rates in the world

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Parents Drinking Causes Harmful Consequences on Scotland’s Children

Posted by jennif90 on November 19, 2009

Bottle www.12steptreatmentcentres.com

By Jennifer Flett

ChildLine issued a new worrying report this week stating that in the last year 230 children in Scotland have called the charity help line about their parents’ drinking, with 87% claiming physical abuse as a consequence.

These figures demonstrate a different aspect of Scotland’s ongoing problems with alcohol, as they establish calls are disproportionately twice as high as anywhere else in Britain.

Spokesperson Alison Wales for ChildLine said of the new report;

“What we know about already is that kids continue to call about it and since a study in 2005 issued by Edinburgh University, where alcohol was found to be the biggest concern for children, the situation has not got better.

“Since the report, we now know that there are hidden children who are not likely to have talked about problems because of how chronic the situation is for them and it’s the crucial aim of ChildLine to voice their concerns to get the message out there.”

Government agency Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) worked in conjunction with ChildLine to complete this full in-depth report.

 Dr Evelyn Gillian, director of SHAAP and co-author of the study highlighted the consequences on children in this situation in saying,

“The degree of emotional stress experienced by children is taking away from their childhoods especially in cases where they are having to take on more responsibilities within the family.”

 In addition to Dr Gillian’s comment, Alison Wales spokesperson from ChildLine underlined a prevalent issue concerning attitudes to drinking;

 “ There is a lot seen in the media about young people drinking, a lot of negative press. In reality children and young people phoning in about parents drinking habits is heard much more consistently.

“Alcohol has been marginalized in terms of young people and binge drinking, especially in Scotland and our relationship with SHAAP is important in allowing society to look at the broader issues at hand.”

This September the Scottish Government unveiled new licensing laws in supermarkets, pubs and clubs, targeting the price of alcohol in hope of minimizing excessive alcohol consumption. 

The report recommends that to accompany new laws better education is needed in schools to teach the social aspects of alcohol abuse within a family, including family break-ups, bereavement and job loss and not just health effects.

Along with education another important factor in addressing the issue is to create more services for children and young people to turn to which are age appropriate and able to cater for the “hidden” children who may be at substantial risk because of limited options.

 Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, emphasized;

“The Government has to take the appropriate steps in tackling alcohol misuse as a matter of urgency because this impacts children more than drug misuse does in Scotland.”

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British Winemakers Bask in Climate Change Sunshine

Posted by dickj91 on November 10, 2009

By J.C Dick

Vineyard Wanderers (Courtesy Reuters)

Two people wander gaily through a vineyard in the balmy autumnal sunshine, buckets in hand picking pinot noir grapes. However this is not Burgundy, or Champagne, this is Dorking, home to Denbies Wine Estate and the largest vineyard in England with 265 acres of land under vines.

Denbies are in the process of reviving a tradition of winemaking in Britain that has been relatively unseen for over 600 years. This revival is due to the global shift in climate that has seen the southern regions of England begin to have more temperate climates that are near perfect for wine production. Research carried out by the University of Burgundy has shown that the best latitudes for winemaking in the northern hemisphere may move 1,000 km (620 miles) north by the end of this century if nothing is done to stop global warming.

This has naturally caused a rift in opinion as British winemakers such as Denbies are keen to cash in on an improving climate but in traditional wine growing regions outrage is growing. These developments prompted fifty famous French chefs and sommeliers to write an open letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy urging action as fine wines, “jewels of French culture,” were in danger.

However though the genuine advent of British wines seems a little further off in the future as British vineyards are still struggling to ripen grapes that produce the most popular varieties of red wine. As well as these unavoidable natural issues, cost continues to prove a problem as English red wines sell for approximately 8 pounds a bottle, against an average price of 4.26 pounds for a bottle of wine in the UK. Wine critics and wine buyers remain unconvinced as Wine buyer Field said while some “very nice” reds are being made, Berry Brothers has been unable to find one it feels is good enough to stock.

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Tories Try to Block Cheap Booze Ban

Posted by unapurdie on November 5, 2009

cheap_booze

Is the end to cheap booze in sight?

by Una Purdie

A heated debate is expected in the Scottish Parliament today as the Conservatives try to vote down plans for a minimum price on alcohol.

Setting a minimum price per unit is a key plank of the Scottish Government’s alcohol strategy. The move would end high strength, cut-price booze such as supermarket own brand spirits and lagers.  Conservatives oppose what they call a ‘blanket hike’ on prices, which they say will unfairly punish responsible drinkers without tackling Scotland’s alcohol problems. They hope to strike a body blow to the plans by voting them down today.

Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Murdo Fraser said: “Increasing prices will not automatically reduce consumption. Problem drinkers will find the extra money and spend less on other things, such as food for them and their family.”

The Scottish Government dismisses these criticisms. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “Minimum pricing will not raise the price of all drinks – it will target products sold at rock-bottom prices.”

Research from Sheffield University, commissioned by the Scottish Government, supports the case. It found a suggested minimum of 40 pence per unit would reduce consumption by 9% in harmful drinkers, cut alcohol-related deaths by nearly 19% in ten years and reduce hospital admissions by 10 per cent. The additional cost of alcohol for responsible drinkers was estimated to be £11 per year.

Minimum pricing also has strong backing from health organisations including the British Medical Association, Alcohol Focus Scotland and the World Health Organisation.

Lobbying against the proposal is the Scotch Whisky Association which warns of job losses should the policy get the go-ahead. They seized on a recent European court opinion which declared plans for minimum pricing on tobacco were illegal. The tobacco price plans had been put forward by France, Ireland and Austria but were said to distort competition and ‘were not necessary in order to protect public health.’  The SWA claims the same distortion of competiton would apply for alcohol.

With the Liberal Democrats also opposed to minimum pricing, the minority SNP Government is relying on votes from Labour to get the plans through the Scottish Parliament, but so far they are refusing to show their cards. Their new Health Spokesperson, Jackie Baillie seems less keen on the scheme than her predecessor Cathy Jamieson. The Chivas whisky distillery, employing 600 people, is situated within her constituency.

The conservatives have brought the issue to the chamber before the final bill has been published. While today’s vote is not binding, it will set the tone of the debate for the months to come.

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Supermarket cheap

Posted by carolynmearns on October 30, 2009

By Carolyn Mearns and Kenny Simpson.

Supermarkets are flaunting strict new alcohol guidelines with the sale of cheap booze, according to health experts.

Debra Evans, a Bristol NHS chief executive has warned that despite price increases in alcoholic drinks, supermarkets are still providing cheap and accessable alcohol.

Yet stores across the country are promoting the sale of low price liquor on their online sites by offering cheaper alternatives and recommending different brands.

Britain’s biggest supermarket Tesco offers a 2 lt bottle of Strongbow cider for £2.78, the same shockingly low price provided by both Asda and Sainsbury’s. Whilst the later offers 70 cl of vodka for just under £7.

 threshersThe discovery comes after the announcement that First Quench Retailing, owners of 1300  high street off licences Threshers, Haddows and Wine Rack has gone into administration placing 6,500 at risk.

The company has been struggling following strong competition from low price drink purchasing at supermarkets.

First Quench Retailing faced backlash after failing to tell employees about the financial situation.

Disgruntled employee Andy Brent, 25 said: “I found out about this in this morning’s newspaper. Let me tell you, it came as a shock. I’m angry that I had to find out this way instead of being told by the company. I’m not sure what im going to have to do next, probably go on the dole.”

First Quench said in a statement: “It is with great regret that the board was not able to brief our colleagues prior to [the announcement] being made public.”

 

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Local residents suffer from Grassmarket revamp

Posted by rosscdoyle on October 21, 2009


(curtosy of bestofedinburgh.com)

(courtesy of Best of Edinburgh website)

By Ross Doyle

The Grassmarket area of Edinburgh is now facing problems with the lead up to the festive period, as the British drinking culture continues to disturb local residents.

The area as benefited from a £5 million rejuvenation to promote the area and attract more visitors, with the introduction of outdoor seating and more pedestrian space. This has attracted more visitors to the area while sadly promoting more drink related disturbances and an increase in stag and hen parties.

The outdoor seating areas were strictly introduced for dining purposes, while these rules have been frequently ignored according to Paul Duncan of Manager of Mama’s Pizza located within the area who said “this year it was a mess, no-one seemed to enforce the regulations. “He also added that”one of the rules was there should be no advertising of alcohol, but one of the pubs had huge umbrellas with a beer advert.”

A city spokesperson confirmed a review on the problems would take place, but there was no guarantee of any enforced changes to the current layout.

Councillor Mowat of the the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership said “some residents are suffering weekly problems because of drunks, which included people fighting, singing and urinating through letter boxes and closes.”

With the festive period fast approaching, the problems are likely to increase and local groups have continued to put pressure on the council to act on the current situation.

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Alcohol responsible for two thirds of ambulance call outs

Posted by alfenton on October 7, 2009

imagesby Anna Fenton

A BBC Scotland investigation this week reveals that alcohol plays a major part in 68% of all Scottish Ambulance Service call outs at weekends.

Alcohol awareness week runs from 4th – 10th October and aims to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse and encourage responsible drinking across Scotland. Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says: ‘There is no doubt that too many people are drinking too much, not only putting themselves at risk of major health problems but also placing a huge burden on the NHS. In addition to health services for people suffering from the effects of alcohol misuse, preventative methods are also key. Education must play a central role in tackling alcohol misuse – it’s imperative that people know what they’re drinking and how it will affect them.’

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Fred Mackintosh, commented, ‘I fully support alcohol awareness week. It is vital that we do more to raise awareness, particularly amongst young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

‘The figures from the Scottish Ambulance Service highlight just how widespread and damaging the effects of alcohol abuse are in Scotland.   Alcohol related call outs are largely preventable if, as a nation, we can adopt a more responsible approach to alcohol consumption… Governments need to focus on creating the culture change needed to tackle Scotland’s battle with the bottle and using existing laws to crack down on irresponsible retailers and bars.’

Alcohol awareness week comes in the wake of increasingly stringent government legislation concerning alcohol licensing.

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Ambulance Service are overwhelmed by Alcohol Call-Outs.

Posted by nikkihunter on October 5, 2009

Latest figures from the ambulance service reveal that 68% of all weekend calls which require paramedic assistance are caused by alcohol abuse. The incidents can range from anti-social behaviour, people injuring themselves from being intoxicated with alcohol and ending up so drunk that they are in need of hospitalisation. This is beginning to delay the service from coping with real emergencies during the weekend beginning Friday running through Saturday and ending early Sunday morning. The figures are from the Ambulance Service records that have been taken every weekend since April 2009.

John Morton of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “This means we are being called out to people who are simply drunk and incapable of moving whereas we could be dealing with more urgent and serious calls. I would encourage any initiative that would help us to have more responsible drinking.”

Labour health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson feels the “Challenge 21″ policy should now be mandatory and the police should be enforcing the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. This would stop alcohol being sold to underage children and see less calls being made to ambulance services.

Alcohol Abuse

The Government are trying to introduce a minimum price of alcohol which could save Scotland up to £950m over the next 10 years by reducing the harmful effects of alcohol and with the Scottish public not drinking as much, ambulance services would have more time to deal with serious emergencies. Alcohol would now be priced at 40p per unit level and would end up costing a moderate drinker £11 more a year, however a heavy drinker could be spending £137 more a year.

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Minimum Prices for Alcohol to be set

Posted by elizabethgorrie on March 16, 2009

photo courtesy of smh.com

photo courtesy of smh.com

Pressure is increasing on the government to set minimum prices for alcohol in England, following the publication of  Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson’s annual report.

This follows similar proposals made by the Scottish Government earlier this month.

According to Sir Liam: “Cheap alcohol is killing us like never before”. He hopes that setting a minimum price for alcohol could lead to over 3000 fewer alcohol related deaths and cut hospital admissions by 100,000 every year. 2007 saw 8724 alcohol related deaths in the UK alone.

If ministers at Westminster pass this proposal a minimum price of 50p could be set per unit of alcohol. This would make it illegal to sell a standard bottle of wine for less than £4.50. The price of an average six-pack of lager would increase to £6.00; almost triple the current supermarket price.

However, it is understood that Sir Liam’s proposal is likely to be rejected after it was met with strong opposition from Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He is concerned over the effect minimum price setting will have on “responsible drinkers”.

Scotland’s own plans  were dealt a blow over the weekend after the Scottish Whisky Association voiced concerns over the legality of setting minimum alcohol prices.

Nevertheless the Scottish Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon insists that this move is still under consideration in both Scotland and England:

“Alcohol misuse is a major problem north and south of the Border, and we welcome reports that the UK government are taking the first steps in following key aspects of the Scottish Government’s proposals. As in the ban on smoking in public places, it is clear Scotland is again ahead of the game”.

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