NationStates Jolt Archive

Scots plan to stop cheap alcohol

Measures to tackle alcohol abuse by stopping cut-price offers have been outlined by the Scottish Government.

It has proposed a range of measures including the radical step of a minimum price per unit. It would be the first country in Europe to take the step.

The minority government said it also plans to ban discount deals on alcohol.

SNP ministers decided against raising the off-sales age limit to 21 - but will create powers to allow such curbs to be imposed on a local basis.

Local chief constables will also be able to request such a move.

Other measures include restricting the display and marketing of drink to specific areas within off-sales premises.

Scottish ministers also plan to create legal powers to introduce a "social responsibility fee" for some retailers.

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The Tories said the pricing plans were "horribly flawed", while Labour warned against rushing measures through.

It branded the SNP's proposals "an unworkable mess" and said they were "unsupportable" in their current form.

The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals to raise the off-sales purchase age. (god dammit why do the Tories have to be right:mad:)

Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said the plans would add costs to responsible shoppers without making any difference to irresponsible drinking.

She said: "Irresponsible drinking is not about price or availability yet this is the main focus of the government's approach.

"We need to develop solutions that educate rather than alienate, instead the government has retreated to its bunker and is neither listening to the evidence presented nor willing to tackle these issues in a consensual manner."

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7917824.stm)

dammit I blame America for this its all part of your plan to control the world!

this is a travesty that infringes on millions of years of tradition I tell you and not only will this become a Scottish genocide but where do you think the Neds are going to go for their cheap booze!? mark my words the natural order has been broken and things can only go badly from here

also LOL at Scottish lightweights (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45525000/gif/_45525289_alcohol226.gif)

Do they really want sober Scotsmen? Isn't that how that whole William Wallace thing got started? ;)

Oh ffs.

Do they really want sober Scotsmen? Isn't that how that whole William Wallace thing got started? ;)
The English parties don't want sober Scots, the SNP do, for the reason you gave. *sigh*

I agree with this idea.

Look what happened last time we invited the Scots down for a few beers and a party. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v1ARlytLPo)

This doesn't sound like a famine so much as a drought.

Hurrah for the SNP!

I'm convinced that we're not that long away from a similar sort of thing sweeping the rest of the UK. Sooner or later, the entire place will be 21 and above for booze.

Happily, I'm now 21.

Do they really want sober Scotsmen? Isn't that how that whole William Wallace thing got started? ;)

don't be silly Mel Gibson is catholic.

a better example would be the middle east

Oh ffs.

I wonder how many police will get crucified in the areas that put over 21 limits

This doesn't sound like a famine so much as a drought.

alcohol or food

I'm convinced that we're not that long away from a similar sort of thing sweeping the rest of the UK. Sooner or later, the entire place will be 21 and above for booze.

we will either get mass riots or risk turning into *shudder* the US

Happily, I'm now 21.

it seems you missed the part about alcohol having a minimum price

On the bright side maybe the minimum price per unit could bring in the strange situation of groups of teenagers sitting in the park enjoying a fine bottle of red rather than the usual White Lightning :p

On the bright side maybe the minimum price per unit could bring in the strange situation of groups of teenagers sitting in the park enjoying a fine bottle of red rather than the usual White Lightning :p

On the downside, said teenagers would then be left with a heavy glass bottle rather than a light-weight plastic bottle with which to work their mischief.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

*collapses*

What were the SNP drinking when they came up with this idea???

What were the SNP drinking when they came up with this idea???

Victory Gin

*makes sure the rant is as cliché as possible*

Lol at silly foreigners.

I am going to drink a vodka and coke right now to celebrate.

This best not spread past the border. I'm 20 for another 7 months! Also what of the students (like me)? Do they wish to see the workers of tomorrow die from thirst?

This is a travesty! It must be defeated!

Will be utterly ineffectual; a minor price increase will hardly deter juvenile drinkers.

I see a return of the Scottish smugglers in fishing boats. . . .actually that could be good for the economy I mean think of the jobs!

The Liberal Democrats warned against "stigmatising a generation" with the proposals to raise the off-sales purchase age. (god dammit why do the Tories have to be right)
Eh? Do we not get credit for opposing upping the alcohol age to 21?

Bootleggers will be in business straight away, just nipping across the border to bring back gallons of alcohol in vans etc.