Following a cross-party meeting to address ways of dealing with alcohol misuse in Scotland yesterday, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has said that action on price was necessary and commends the Government’s proposal for minimum pricing as the most effective way of doing this.  She states:  “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.”

Children in Scotland have written a testimony to the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee highlighting three issues that cause drinking problems in Scotland:  1) Exposure to alcohol in foetal position (these adults are at risk far greater than non-affected adults);  2) Coping with negative experiences during childhood or adolescence such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, homelessness etc; and 3) Lack of activities for teenagers.  Read the testimony here.