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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Doctors back alcohol label call | Doctors back alcohol label call |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Doctors have called for compulsory labelling of alcohol in a bid to help tackle binge drinking. | Doctors have called for compulsory labelling of alcohol in a bid to help tackle binge drinking. |
| British Medical Association Scotland leaders want more consistent information on the alcohol content and the number of units on drink labels. | British Medical Association Scotland leaders want more consistent information on the alcohol content and the number of units on drink labels. |
| The move comes days after a study revealed that a million Scots are drinking at potentially harmful levels. | The move comes days after a study revealed that a million Scots are drinking at potentially harmful levels. |
| The call precedes Scotland's first ever Alcohol Awareness Week, which is due to start on Monday. | The call precedes Scotland's first ever Alcohol Awareness Week, which is due to start on Monday. |
| Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "Binge drinking and alcohol misuse have serious social, psychological and physical consequences. | Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "Binge drinking and alcohol misuse have serious social, psychological and physical consequences. |
| BMA Scotland believes that much more should be done to promote sensible, moderate drinking Dr Peter TerryChairman BMA Scotland | |
| "BMA Scotland believes that much more should be done to promote sensible, moderate drinking and to move away from the cultural norm of drinking to get drunk." | "BMA Scotland believes that much more should be done to promote sensible, moderate drinking and to move away from the cultural norm of drinking to get drunk." |
| He added: "The only way that individuals can keep a check on their own drinking patterns is to have access to clear information about what they are consuming. | He added: "The only way that individuals can keep a check on their own drinking patterns is to have access to clear information about what they are consuming. |
| "Consistent information on alcohol content and units along with guidelines on the daily drinking limits would help people to better understand their own drinking habits. | "Consistent information on alcohol content and units along with guidelines on the daily drinking limits would help people to better understand their own drinking habits. |
| "By legislating for standardised labelling on all alcohol products, we can avoid mixed messages and help people to make informed choices about what they drink." | "By legislating for standardised labelling on all alcohol products, we can avoid mixed messages and help people to make informed choices about what they drink." |
| 'Drinking problem' | 'Drinking problem' |
| Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "We want the alcohol industry to ensure the information people need to know to help gauge how much they're drinking is easily identifiable. | |
| "That information should be on drinks labels. The Scottish drinks industry are working alongside the Scottish Government and the medical professions to promote a sensible approach to alcohol - and this is one area they could do more on. | "That information should be on drinks labels. The Scottish drinks industry are working alongside the Scottish Government and the medical professions to promote a sensible approach to alcohol - and this is one area they could do more on. |
| "Legislation on this is reserved, but if there are no voluntary developments from the industry, we will enter into discussions with Westminster on how we can strengthen the rules." | "Legislation on this is reserved, but if there are no voluntary developments from the industry, we will enter into discussions with Westminster on how we can strengthen the rules." |
| Alcohol costs the NHS in Scotland an estimated £110m a year | |
| Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie MSP called on the Scottish Government to urge the Westminster Government to introduce compulsory labelling of alcohol. | Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie MSP called on the Scottish Government to urge the Westminster Government to introduce compulsory labelling of alcohol. |
| Mr Finnie said: "I want to see the Scottish Government marking Alcohol Awareness week with real action to tackle Scotland's booze culture. | Mr Finnie said: "I want to see the Scottish Government marking Alcohol Awareness week with real action to tackle Scotland's booze culture. |
| "The Liberal Democrats support the BMA's campaign to tackle binge drinking." | "The Liberal Democrats support the BMA's campaign to tackle binge drinking." |
| BMA Scotland also wants an end to the deep discounting of alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets and for research to be carried out into the way pricing can be used to discourage heavy consumption of drinks with a high alcohol content. | BMA Scotland also wants an end to the deep discounting of alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets and for research to be carried out into the way pricing can be used to discourage heavy consumption of drinks with a high alcohol content. |
| Doctors are also calling for an end to alcohol producers' sponsorship of sporting and entertainment events which target a young audience. | Doctors are also calling for an end to alcohol producers' sponsorship of sporting and entertainment events which target a young audience. |