In the Banner of Saturday January 9, we carried a report on the campaign to tackle alcohol abuse by introducing a minimum pricing policy.
Kenneth Gibson MSP is backing the government proposal and identified cut-price alcohol in supermarkets as a major problem. He described the campaign as being ‘likely to be one of the most controversial issues of 2010’.
Now an island resident involved in the licensed trade supports Mr Gibson’s views on supermarkets but has spoken out about the negative impact this campaign may have on Arran’s bars and licensed premises. He has asked not to be identified but has supplied his name and address.
He said: ‘I am fully aware of the problems of alcohol being inflicted on society today, particularly in larger cities and by a minority.
‘The evidence to support the argument by the Scottish Executive is ill-advised, frightening and surely exaggerated. What about the number of Scots who are teetotal and the large number who drink moderately?
‘The result of a survey by the trade has suggested that ‘the vast majority of binge drinking and resulting fallout does not occur in or from licensed on-trade premises’. This is very true of licensed premises on Arran.
‘The main problem is the supermarket trade where alcohol is sold at cut prices and available most of the day.
‘Setting a minimum price on a unit of alcohol will not make one iota of difference. Remember what history tells us about prohibition in America.
‘The only result this action will achieve is that it will punish the ordinary folk in the community who wish to enjoy a social drink in convivial company.
‘It will further diminish the already low numbers frequenting the pub.
‘A combination of alcohol pricing and drink driving laws has led to the closure of many bars on Arran. One must remember that social drinking in the local pub has been the centre of many communities. This is just another nail in the coffin for many in the licensed trade who are already struggling with hidden costs of health and safety, fire regulations, heating and lighting and staff wages just to keep the door open, even when there are few customers.
‘This bill will do nothing to reduce Scotland’s health record. The Executive would do better to address education instead of targeting licensed premises. The youth project in Brodick is an example of a positive way of dealing with inherent problems.
‘Youths involved in a community project can achieve a sense of wellbeing and recognition as a person of some worth.
‘The problem created by the supermarkets could be restricted if licensing boards would reduce the hours when alcohol was available and limit the age to 25.
‘Unfortunately, it has to be recognised that for the ones who have an illness and are addicted to alcohol, nothing will change even if the cost of drink was doubled.’
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