Minimum Pricing of Alcohol Report
What impact, if any, will minimum pricing of alcohol have on the trends of alcohol misuse amongst teenagers and young people in Scotland?
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgment and thanks are given to the management at Liber8 Lanarkshire who agreed to contribute to the research undertaken for this report and provided valuable insight into the topic in question.
Introduction
In 2009 “Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action” was published by the Scottish Government outlining the ways in which it hoped to combat the various health and social problems which exist as a result of the attitudes towards alcohol in Scotland today, highlighting “the need to take action to rebalance Scotland’s relationship with alcohol…to maximise our potential as individuals, families, communities, and as a country” (Scottish Government, 2009, p.5). Amongst the many recommendations of how this can be achieved, introducing a minimum price for the sale of alcohol was one which it was proposed should be enshrined in law; consequently, The Alcohol Minimum Pricing (Scotland) Act (2012) was passed by the Scottish Parliament. The aim of this report is to assess how this legislation will impact upon young people in Scotland and their attitudes towards alcohol. It is intended this end shall be met through examining current relevant research, considering comparative international studies, and with reference to an interview (Appendix 1) with a senior manager from a community based project designed to engage with this issue (in order to adhere to recognised ethical practice and confidentiality the interviewee will remain anonymous, but has given full consent to allow all comments and remarks to be used in reference to the topic being discussed as part of this report).
It is hoped the most significant effect of this measure of control will be reduced alcohol consumption. It has long been known how damaging excessive use or misuse
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgment and thanks are given to the management at Liber8 Lanarkshire who agreed to contribute to the research undertaken for this report and provided valuable insight into the topic in question.
Introduction
In 2009 “Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action” was published by the Scottish Government outlining the ways in which it hoped to combat the various health and social problems which exist as a result of the attitudes towards alcohol in Scotland today, highlighting “the need to take action to rebalance Scotland’s relationship with alcohol…to maximise our potential as individuals, families, communities, and as a country” (Scottish Government, 2009, p.5). Amongst the many recommendations of how this can be achieved, introducing a minimum price for the sale of alcohol was one which it was proposed should be enshrined in law; consequently, The Alcohol Minimum Pricing (Scotland) Act (2012) was passed by the Scottish Parliament. The aim of this report is to assess how this legislation will impact upon young people in Scotland and their attitudes towards alcohol. It is intended this end shall be met through examining current relevant research, considering comparative international studies, and with reference to an interview (Appendix 1) with a senior manager from a community based project designed to engage with this issue (in order to adhere to recognised ethical practice and confidentiality the interviewee will remain anonymous, but has given full consent to allow all comments and remarks to be used in reference to the topic being discussed as part of this report).
It is hoped the most significant effect of this measure of control will be reduced alcohol consumption. It has long been known how damaging excessive use or misuse
References: Scottish Government (2009). Changing Scotland’s Relationship With Alcohol: A Framework for Action. Retrieved from: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/FrameworkforActionProgressReport Booth, A Scottish Government (2009). Changing Scotland’s Relationship With Alcohol: A Framework for Action. Retrieved from: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/FrameworkforActionProgressReport Scottish Government (2009) NHS Scotland (2011). Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.alcoholinformation.isdscotland.org/alcohol_misuse/files/alcohol_stats_bulletin_2011_updated_110413.pdf Hanewinkel, r Black, C. et al. (2010). Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS) National Report. Retrieved from: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/local/SALSUS_2010.pdf Black, C Scottish Government (2009). Changing Scotland’s Relationship With Alcohol: A Framework for Action. Retrieved from: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/FrameworkforActionProgressReport Velleman, R The Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol (2010). Report of Recommendations. Retrieved from: http://www.youngscot.net/media/12177/syca_recommendations.pdf Appendix 1