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Alcohol summit
04/08/2010
A cross-party meeting addressing ways of tackling Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol was held today.
Speaking following the meeting, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"We agreed that action on price was an essential part of tackling Scotland's alcohol misuse problems.
"The Scottish Government has proposed minimum pricing as the most effective way of doing this.
"However, following today's meeting we will consider any workable alternatives, and as a result have asked the opposition parties to submit further details on what they have proposed today.
"In an attempt to reach agreement, I indicated that the government would be willing to introduce a 'sunset clause' to the minimum price section of the Alcohol Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.
"This would have the effect of ensuring that the minimum price policy is reviewed after a set period. If minimum pricing proved to be successful the measure would be retained, if not parliament could choose to end minimum pricing.
"Such a measure would allow minimum pricing to be tested and evaluated over time, and I hope would address some of the concerns colleagues have expressed."