Minimum pricing will do nothing to tackle problem drinking by women

3.46.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Oct 2009

Robert BrownScottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown has written to SNP Ministers asking them to explain whether they believe that the SNP’s proposal to introduce a minimum price for alcohol will tackle high levels of problem drinking by professional women.

The recently published Health Survey warns that levels of consumption among women were highest among those in managerial and professional households, those in the highest income quintile and among those living in the least deprived areas.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“Tackling Scotland's relationship with alcohol and the harmful levels of drinking indulged in by too many people in Scotland is vital. The most recent figures tell us that 20 per cent of women and 30 per cent of men drink more than recommended weekly limit.

“However, although income doesn’t seem to make a difference to men’s drinking, these same figures tell us that among women, it’s the high fliers who drink the most. It’s the respectable professionals with the most cash who get through the most alcohol on a weekly basis.

“Scarcely a week goes by without one SNP Minister or another suggesting that using minimum prices will tackle the scourge of alcohol related harm. On any view, the contribution of minimum pricing appears marginal at best.

“Ending cut price alcohol isn’t going to change the habit for these successful, affluent and professional women.

"The 2008 Scottish Health Survey shows quite clearly that minimum pricing is not the answer to the challenge of problem levels of drinking by women in particular. It also seems not to be relevant to the situation with many men too. Indeed, it is a distraction from the need for the SNP Government to come up with a coherent plan to secure the long-term cultural change in attitudes to alcohol that Scotland so desperately needs.”