McMillan Welcomes Minimum Pricing Announcement

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that the proposed minimum price for alcohol will be set at 45p per unit.

The Scottish Government argue that introducing a minimum price of 45p per unit would have significant health and social benefits including, in the first year:

50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm
1,200 fewer hospital admissions
A £5.5 million reduction in health care costs
22,900 fewer days absence from work

After 10 years, benefits would increase to:

225 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm annually
4,200 fewer hospital admissions annually
An £83 million reduction in health care costs over the 10 year period

Mr McMillan said;

"I strongly welcome the announcement by the Scottish Government that a minimum price on the unit sale of alcohol will be set at 45p per unit.

"Too many people in Scotland are affected by alcohol misuse and the problems it brings such as health deterioration and anti social behaviour.

"The support for the Scottish Government's proposals on alcohol continues to grow and the argument seems to be winning the day, throughout Scotland, that drastic action must be taken to address the problems this country faces

"Therefore, it's vital that the Scottish Government and politicians, of all political parties, work together in tackling this very real issue. I hope all politicians will put political differences aside and support the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill including the introduction of a minimum price."

NEW REPORT EXPOSES CHEAP ALCOHOL COSTS

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has commented on a new report by Health Scotland which exposes the scale and amount of cheap alcohol available in Scotland.

The report which shows two thirds of alcohol in Scotland is purchased as off-sales rather than in pubs and clubs shows that over half of that alcohol is sold at less than 40 pence per unit.

Commenting on the report Mr. McMillan said;

"The amount of alcohol on sale in Scotland at less than 40p per unit is just staggering and ultimately worrying.

"With so much alcohol being bought at off sales and so much of it being bought cheaply this report adds to the argument that price has an essential role in controlling levels of alcohol consumption and that right now the price is too low.

"It also makes clear that addressing the drinking culture in pubs and clubs in Inverclyde will only ever be part of the solution while so much alcohol is available so easily and cheaply in our supermarkets.

"Sales figures show people are buying more of their alcohol in off sales so we must make an impact there to bring about any real change in our drinking levels.
"When Parliament returns to consider minimum pricing in September I hope other parties will consider this evidence very closely".

McMillan Welcomes Funding to Tackle Harmful Drinking

Stuart McMillan MSP, (West of Scotland, SNP) has today (Monday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that many more Scots will receive help to tackle their harmful drinking habits this year, thanks to Scottish Government funding to tackle alcohol misuse.

Scotland's health boards will share £36 million pounds to implement a range of measures designed to help people address their excessive drinking, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced today.

The allocation for Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which encompasses the Inverclyde area, is over £9m.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the news from the Scottish Government that it is committing £36m to tackle harmful drinking in Scotland and this equates to £9m for the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

"As everyone is fully aware Scotland's drink problem is significantly worse than the rest of the UK and radical action is needed to address this important health issue.

"Therefore, the current action taken by the SNP Government to invest in tackling alcohol misuse through this investment of £36m and the Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Bill are strong examples of this Government focusing on addressing Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

"I note from correspondence I have received from the Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow and Clyde that he supports an introduction of minimum pricing on the unit sale of alcohol. Therefore, its disappointing to see that opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament continue to defy health experts, who are calling for the introduction of minimum pricing, and wont support the Scottish Government's proposals to introduce minimum pricing."