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MSPs debate 'binge-drink culture' MSP vows to cut down on alcohol
(about 8 hours later)
The problems of cheap alcohol and Scotland's binge-drinking culture are to be debated at Holyrood. A MSP has told a Holyrood debate on alcohol that he is cutting his drink consumption after recognising the "error" of his ways.
The Scottish Executive has admitted that its first alcohol strategy, introduced five years ago, failed to change the culture. Kenny MacAskill hit the headlines in 1999 when he was held by police before the England-Scotland match at Wembley.
Ministers' new strategy will come under fire from the SNP, which wants stricter licensing laws to govern supermarket and off-licence alcohol sales. He was held for the duration of the match but was not charged or cautioned.
The Conservatives claim better policing of the existing laws is required. The SNP justice spokesman said action against excessive alcohol required action on a range of fronts, including legislation and a cultural change.
Drinks promotions
He said: "Alcohol misuse is something that transcends all ages and all classes and is not restricted to the young and those in marginalised areas.
"It is something that government needs to act upon, but each and every Scot needs to look at his ways.
"And I myself as somebody who has offended in the past, recognise the error of the ways and the requirement I have to address my own consumption."
The debate was on an SNP motion which called for a ban on "irresponsible" drink promotions in off-sales and deep-discounting by supermarkets.
The executive is hoping its next five-year plan will see more success in stamping out binge-drinking culture and the violence and ill-health it fuels.The executive is hoping its next five-year plan will see more success in stamping out binge-drinking culture and the violence and ill-health it fuels.
It's time to tackle Scotland's binge-drinking culture and get tough on the irresponsible sale of alcohol Kenny MacAskillSNPjustice spokesman It is easy to say that more legislative action is needed, that somehow this will be the magic bullet that solves Scots' love affair with the booze George LyonScottish Executive minister
New licensing laws are due to come into effect next year.New licensing laws are due to come into effect next year.
They will see action taken against shopkeepers who sell alcohol to under-18s and a 14-point partnership agreement with the drinks industry to stamp out irresponsible promotions.They will see action taken against shopkeepers who sell alcohol to under-18s and a 14-point partnership agreement with the drinks industry to stamp out irresponsible promotions.
Last month research from the Office for National Statistics said that men and women in Scotland were twice as likely to die an alcohol-related death as people in the UK as a whole. Deputy Public Service Minister George Lyon said: "We need to be careful we don't go for the headline-grabbing gimmick approach which doesn't deliver real results."
Latest figures show that one in four men and one in 10 women are putting their health at risk through drinking. He warned: "It is easy to say that more legislative action is needed, that somehow this will be the magic bullet that solves Scots' love affair with the booze.
The debate was called by the SNP. "But that type of blinkered approach will achieve nothing when it is our focused and comprehensive approach to achieving the long-term culture change that is needed."
The party's justice spokesman, Kenny MacAskill MSP, said: "It's time to tackle Scotland's binge-drinking culture and get tough on the irresponsible sale of alcohol. Excessive drinking
"Irresponsible drinks promotions in pubs and clubs are to be outlawed via national licence conditions set by central government, yet no such action is being taken with regard to the off trade, and in particular dealing with the deep discounting by supermarkets." Tory health spokeswoman Dr Nanette Milne also warned there was no quick fix to the problem.
The Conservative claimed that drinking to excess had become increasingly common.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Euan Robson complained about the number of alcopops on the market.
And Green MSP Patrick Harvie claimed youngsters said they drank because there were few cheap alternatives for them on a night out.
Following the debate MSPs voted 89-25 in favour of a motion, amended by Mr Lyon.
It noted the damage excessive drinking can cause to physical and mental health, to communities and to the economy.
It also noted the success of the Fife test purchasing pilot and welcomed its proposed roll-out to all police forces.