BMA Scotland Response To New Government Consultation On Alcohol Misuse

The BMA in Scotland welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government consultation for an alcohol misuse strategy for Scotland. Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland said:


"As doctors we see first hand how alcohol misuse destroys lives. It is related to over 60 medical conditions including heart and liver disease, diabetes, strokes and mental health problems. Binge drinking and severe intoxication can cause muscular incoordination, blurred vision, stupor, hypothermia, convulsions, depressed reflexes, respiratory depression, hypotension and coma. Death can occur from respiratory or circulatory failure or if binge drinkers inhale their own vomit.


"As well as the detrimental impact binge drinking has on the nation's health, alcohol misuse has wider societal implications. It causes family breakdowns, is a major factor in domestic violence, ruins job prospects, is often related to crime and disorderly behaviour and it kills.


"Past approaches to tackle the problem have led to increased consumption levels and alcohol-related problems and demonstrates a failure in the political drive to improve public health and order. I am pleased that this new consultation document seeks to reverse this approach and outlines a number of bold strategies that will, if developed in partnership and appropriately resourced, help to turn around our relationship with alcohol.


"The BMA will respond in detail to the consultation, but the content of this document appears to reflect some of the key recommendations in our own publication Alcohol Misuse: tackling the UK epidemic.


"The BMA welcomes efforts to address pricing of alcohol. Since 1997, taxes on wine and beer in the UK have only increased in line with inflation while taxes on spirits have not increased at all. There is strong and consistent evidence that price increases result in reduced consumption. The government needs to act on this evidence.


"The BMA has been calling for an end to irresponsible promotional activities such as deep discounting, loss leading and 'two-for-one' offers. This encourages excessive drinking and retailers must be more responsible about how they market alcohol, particularly those drinks that are most attractive to teenagers.


"Mass public awareness campaigns may be politically attractive and increase knowledge about alcohol misuse but they are very expensive and ultimately ineffective if unsupported by broad based policy. Targeted approaches are vital, including measures to reduce alcohol availability and thus consumption by young people and children.


"We welcome the suggestion of raising the purchase age for off sales to age 21. However, this move will only be effective if it is rigorously enforced."


In February 2008, the BMA published Alcohol Misuse: tackling the UK epidemic. Key recommendations from the report include:


- Higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and this increase should be proportionate to the amount of alcohol in the product.

- An end to irresponsible promotional activities like happy hours and two-for-one offers.

- Standard labels should be displayed on all alcoholic products that clearly state alcohol units, recommended guidelines for consumption and a warning message advising that exceeding these guidelines may cause the individual and others harm.

- The legal limit for the level of alcohol permitted while driving should be reduced from 80mg/100ml to 50mg/100ml throughout the UK.


A copy of the report is available online.


BMA Scotland

Public Affairs Office

14 Queen Street

Edinburgh
EH2 1LL

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