The alcohol consumption problem in Scotland

Résumé du document

Industry sales figures suggest Scotland has the eighth highest alcohol consumption level in the world.' This result, based on a World Health Organization report, focuses on what Scotland's main alcohol related problems are. Both Scottish economy and people seem to depend on alcohol. Indeed, high alcohol sales are partly caused by tourists. The only whisky industry weighs £800 million on the Scottish economy, and supports 41,000 jobs. Economic sectors depend heavily on the liquor trade. But the Scots also seem to be dependent on it too. According to the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland, 1,277,000 people in Scotland are drinking hazardously or harmfully. So the question on the alcohol problem in Scotland might be, how to combine efficient public health policies while maintaining the sector jobs in this time of crisis? What programs should be implemented to fight 'the scourge of Scotland', high alcohol consumption?

Extraits

[...] Indeed, they are more and more received in an ironic way, or drowned in common televisual violence. Awareness by reflection should be preferred, using student parties' mechanisms of supervision and educational programs, by supporting associations' prevention in the streets or outside drinking establishments. The position to adopt might be defending both policies : minimum prices have shown their effects, as low as they are. Added to off-sales bans and licensing laws, they really limit alcohol overconsumption. But authorities cannot hide themselves behind the people's individual behaviour and choice regarding price increasing. [...]

[...] Solutions could be strengthening current prevention policies as the Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW) in October 2009 but also the implementation of government's programs to assist alcohol-dependent people in their withdrawal, in order to undramatize such dependency and convince them their situation is not hopeless. Lastly, awareness of alcohol harms increases : even Tennent's the alcoholic beverage giant has backed the Scottish Government's plan for a minimum alcohol price. It shows how minds are changing : the fight against alcohol overconsumption is not a threat for alcohol industry. Besides being a way to buy a respectable reputation, such support initiatives show how awareness is speeding up in the country. Each initiative even the smallest makes the awereness “bigger and better” (2009 AAW slogan). [...]

[...] The problem is that drinkers dependency is marginally effected by it. As mentioned by Struan STEVENSON (MEP for price increases on certain drinks does not lower the amount of alcohol misuse”. This position is partially confirmed by a University of Sheffield report : minimum pricing have a deep effect on moderate drinkers, but it decreases for hazardous and harmful drinkers. Price increase is offset by an increase in alcohol consumption-related expenses in drinkers budget : “under a 40p minimum price policy, consumption is estimated to reduce by and overall spending increases by 3.4 the report said. [...]

[...] Costing 3.5 billion a year (almost £900 for every adult), alcohol is“the most pressing public health issue facing Scotland” according to Minister for Public Health Shona Robinson. So the question on alcohol problem in Scotland might be : how to combine efficient public health policies while maintaining the sector jobs in this time of crisis ? Which programs might be implemented to fight scourge of Scotland”, alcohol high consumption ? Regarding low alcohol consumption, the solution might be minimum pricing. The argument is simple : higher prices mean lower consumption. [...]