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Health and Sport Committee 22 September 2010

22 Sep 2010 · S3 · Health and Sport Committee

Item of business

Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Matheson, Michael SNP Falkirk West Watch on SPTV

I believe that the minimum unit pricing proposal in the bill is a serious attempt to implement an effective measure to tackle Scotland’s relationship with alcohol. In engaging in a rather polarised debate on the issue, particularly around the evidence that the Sheffield report presented, and given the rather desperate measures that some individuals and organisations took to discredit it, we have set a precedent that the modelling approach is not to be trusted when considering public health measures. No matter what the outcome of the vote is in committee today, I believe that we as members, as a committee and as a Parliament should remain open to modelling of that nature, as it can play a valid part in developing innovative public health measures.10:30 It is interesting that every member of the committee, I think, recognises that price has an important part to play in tackling Scotland’s relationship with alcohol. However, for some members, minimum unit pricing is simply not the way to go about that. As someone who has been in the Parliament for almost 12 years and sat on several committees, I find it surprising that some members were closed to the idea of minimum unit pricing before a single piece of evidence on the matter was presented to the committee.I turn to some of the arguments that have been made against minimum unit pricing, particularly the argument that it might impact on those who are on the lowest incomes. I find it bizarre that some who argue that recognise that we must do something about pricing, but say that we should do it through tax. Well—surprise, surprise—people on low incomes pay tax, too. That measure would have a similar impact on them if they consume harmful levels of alcohol. Unfortunately, some of the arguments that have been put forward are to a large extent artificial and, in some instances, contrived so that members can avoid supporting a progressive measure that could have a significant impact on our relationship with alcohol.As we face up to trying to tackle Scotland’s relationship with alcohol effectively, we must recognise that, by taking minimum unit pricing out of the bill, we will in effect take out one of the most significant tools that we can have in the box in trying to deal with our problem with alcohol, as it deals with the issue of affordability. All the international evidence demonstrates clearly that affordability plays a significant role. I regret that it appears that a majority of committee members, in voting to remove minimum unit pricing from the bill, will ensure that we do not have that tool in our box in trying to deal with the issue.

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The Convener (Christine Grahame) SNP

Good morning and welcome to the 26th meeting in 2010 of the Health and Sport Committee. I remind everyone to switch off mobile phones and other electronic eq...

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Health and Sport Committee 22 September 2010

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