Further restrictions on alcohol promised

Discount sales to be banned and separate displays to be enforced

News, 5 September 2007

Tighter controls on the display and sale of alcohol in order to tackle Scotland's destructive drinking culture were proposed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today.

Speaking at Alcohol Focus Scotland's annual conference, Mr MacAskill pledged to extend the new Licensing (Scotland) Act to crack down on irresponsible promotions and pricing in off-sales.

Any promotion that provides alcohol free or at a reduced price on the purchase of one or more of the product or another product will be outlawed.

In addition, mandatory conditions will require shops to have separate alcohol display areas - to help challenge the perception that alcohol is no different to juice or water.

Mr MacAskill said: "This is immediate action to kick start a long term drive to change Scotland's culture - to help make sure drinking to get drunk is simply no longer seen as acceptable. To end the days of 'buy two get one free' type promotions reducing the cost of beer to as little as 43p a pint. These measures will also support long term change in all our drinking habits."

"We will stop shops displaying beer all around the store or cross-merchandising wine in the pizza counter to entice impulse buyers to buy and drink more alcohol. I hope this will help us to remind people that alcohol is not just another commodity and it shouldn't be treated in the same way as buying a tin of beans or loaf of bread."

The regulations to ensure outlets have a specific display area for alcohol will be made shortly, to come into effect along with the key provisions of the new Act in 2009.

A consultation on draft regulations that would ban irresponsible promotions from off-sales will be issued shortly, with regulations being made early in 2008.

Mr MacAskill said the new measures would be the first step in a long term strategy to tackle the health and social harms of alcohol misuse, involving the NHS, the police, the alcohol industry, and schools. "We need to communicate with the public about taking responsibility and drinking sensibly. Today's action signals our intent to step up the pace of action."

Ministers are also looking at the practice of deep discounting. The Cabinet Secretary has asked for legal advice on how this practice can be ended as part of the wider alcohol strategy.