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BMA calls for an end to cheap supermarket booze promotions

Published:  23 July, 2008

Alcohol voluntary agreements do not go far enough, the influential group warns.

Utilise the legislative capabilities of the 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act, to end deep discounting of alcohol for sales in off-licences, supermarkets and other off sales outlet.

The reason: "Cheap drinks promotions which encourage people to buy more alcohol, particularly in supermarkets and off-licenses must be controlled. Some supermarkets are running alcohol products as a loss leader, which in some cases has resulted in alcohol being cheaper than bottled water."

Undertake research into the measures by which pricing mechanisms can be used in Scotland to discourage heavy consumption of high alcohol products.

The reason: "Strong evidence suggests that increasing the price of alcohol may be an effective method of reducing use by adolescents."

End alcohol producers' sponsorship of sporting and entertainment events with a young target audience.

The reason: "Sponsoring of entertainment and sporting events and sports teams has become an important advertising mechanism for the alcohol industry. However, the exposure of children to alcohol's linkage to entertainment events or sporting activities gives alcohol innocence by association."

Legislate for alcohol labelling rather than relying on voluntary agreements with the drinks industry.

The reason: "More than eight out of 10 doctors believe that alcoholic drinks manufacturers should be compelled to clearly label their products with the number of units of alcohol in each product."

Reduce the drink driving limit form 80mg to 50mg and introduce random breath testing in Scotland.

The reason: "Reducing the drink driving limit from 80mg to 50mg will prevent around 65 deaths in the UK each year. Legislating to reduce the drink drive limit is a matter reserved to Westminster.

"BMA Scotland calls upon the Scottish Executive to exert pressure on the UK Government to consider reducing the drink driving limits."

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