Meeting of the Parliament 04 June 2015
I see Jackson Carlaw shaking his head. The lager is called Hee Haw because there is hee haw alcohol in it. I thought that I would just explain that. I must admit that it was offered to me, but I do not drink lager, whether it is Hee Haw or not, so I did not accept it.
I thank members for their contributions, which have all been excellent and have covered a great many areas, from alcohol intervention by NHS Scotland and record investment in tackling alcohol misuse to the setting up of alcohol and drug partnerships.
However, as a number of members have said, there are on average 20 alcohol-related deaths a week and 700 alcohol-related hospital admissions each week, which is totally unacceptable and shows that we still have a very long way to go. I realise, as I am sure we all do, that there is no quick fix and that it will take a long time. We need a change of culture in this country and a change in our relationship with alcohol.
I live in Glasgow city centre and, unfortunately, I see a lot more young women partaking of more alcohol than maybe they want to. I agree with Hugh Henry that we are talking about alcohol abuse and alcoholics, but there are people with long-term drink problems who are not deemed to be alcoholics. Basically, they go through their lives with a terrible problem, which obviously has an impact on the economy, their work and their families.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s announcement of the social marketing campaign that is aimed at educating parents, and I echo her comments on advertising, particularly the advertising that is aimed at young people. I urge the Westminster Government to devolve broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament. I thank Jenny Marra for mentioning the Scottish National Party’s success in returning 56 MPs to Westminster. I hope that they will deliver that devolution to the Scottish Parliament.
It was Jackson Carlaw, I think, who raised the issue of how cheap alcohol is now compared with many years ago. It is far too cheap. Minimum pricing has to be looked at. I hear from pubs and clubs that, like other people, young people partake of cheaper drink from supermarkets before going into the pubs and clubs.