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Health group campaigns for ban on cheap supermarket deals

Published:  23 July, 2008

UK: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) said banning cheap supermarket deals would help cut excessive drinking in Scotland

The group claims that one million Scots are drinking in excess of the recommended safe limits.

The group, set up to focus on Scotland's alcohol problems, believes Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's plans to outlaw cheap supermarket booze would be a step in the right direction.

Dr Ritson said: "Our nation has one of the highest mortality rates from alcoholic liver disease in Western Europe so SHAAP welcomes the recent action announced by Ministers and we will be presenting evidence-based recommendations on further action that the government can take on alcohol pricing policy in the next few weeks.

"Scotland was seen as a public health pioneer by many of our UK colleagues when it put public health interests first and introduced the smoking ban in public places.

"Alcohol policy offers another opportunity for the Scottish government to show leadership once again and we believe the Scottish people will fully support the government in their efforts."

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has written to MPs in Whitehall stating they believe any attempt to ban cheap deals would be against competition laws.

It fears that it would leave Scottish stores at a serious disadvantage.

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