Don't make us all pay for binge drinkers, say Scots

TWO-thirds of Scots believe ministers are acting unfairly by pushing up the price of alcohol for everyone simply to crack down on the minority of problem drinkers, according to a new survey.

In the first poll of public opinion since the Scottish Government unveiled its plans for a "drink tax", Scots declared they did not believe raising prices should be the focus of attack to reduce the drink culture.

Instead, the public believes ministers should crack down on off-licences that sell to underage drinkers, force police to arrest drunks, and improve education in schools. Scots, the survey says, believe it is peer pressure and irresponsible parents – and not low taxes – that are most to blame for alcohol abuse.

Ministers announced plans earlier this summer to raise taxes by 35p or more. They also proposed a minimum age of 21 for off-sales and separate supermarket lanes for drink.

The survey of 1,000 Scots was carried out by respected polling organisation ICM and commissioned by the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA). Ministers last night said it could not be taken seriously as it had been paid for by the trade and included leading questions.

However, the independent Scottish Attitudes survey, published last week, showed only 33% of people backed the idea of taxing alcohol more heavily to encourage people to drink less.

The WSTA/ICM poll asked people if they thought it was unfair that Scots should have to pay more because of a minority – 66% said yes. It also asked people if they would be happy to pay more to reduce problem drinking – 25% agreed. Meanwhile, 75% said they thought it was unfair to pay more than people in England.

The survey resented 12 "factors" that could be blamed for alcohol abuse. "Taxes on drink being too low" was ranked ninth. The main causes are seen as "peer pressure", "parents not taking enough responsibility", "people feeling stressed", "family breakdown" and "Scotland's historic drinking culture".

Respondents were offered 13 "effective measures" to deal with alcohol abuse. People rated "harsh punishments for licencees that sell to underage drinkers" as the most effective.

This was followed by "improve education of alcohol abuse in schools", "encourage the police to arrest more people for drunken/anti social behaviour", "fine parents whose children abuse alcohol", and then "raise drinking age to 21".

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA, said: "The SNP is punishing all consumers for the problems caused by a minority and voters know it." Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "Scottish shoppers resent the prospect of the Scottish Government pushing up alcohol prices and restricting how, and when, alcohol can be sold."

However, Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, claimed the survey was not genuine, saying it was "clearly worded to elicit responses which reflect the interests of the WSTA itself". She said: "We would welcome any constructive suggestions on how we can tackle alcohol misuse."

Ministers claim alcohol abuse costs Scotland £2.25bn a year. They insist there is a link between low cost and consumption and point out that trials of over-21 off-sales have cut crime by as much as 60%.

Drinkers 'ignorant of risks'

MANY Scots remain ignorant of how much it is safe to drink and how much alcohol their beverages contain, a new survey has revealed.

Less than half of those quizzed could identify the recommended daily intake for men and women, despite a string of high-profile anti- alcohol campaigns.

Almost half believed Scotland's record of heavy drinking was a source of shame – but two-thirds also said it was "a major part of the Scottish way of life", according to the findings of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey.

Heavy drinking results in 40,000 hospital admissions a year and 70% of assaults are alcohol-related, according to ministers. It also costs the country £2.25bn a year.

There was clear recognition of the harm caused by alcohol in the interviews undertaken for the report, which was titled Something To Be Ashamed Of Or Part Of Our Way Of Life? Attitudes Towards Alcohol In Scotland.

A total of 89% of women and 80% of men recognised that hazardous drinking is "very likely" or "fairly likely" to damage long-term health.

But there was still widespread ignorance about how much it is safe to drink.

Only 34% correctly identified that men are advised to drink no more than three to four units a day. And only 41% knew the recommended daily limit for women was two to three units.

About half of those quizzed knew the number of units in a pint of beer or a single measure of spirits, but only 15% knew there were eight to 10 in a bottle of wine.

Sam Reeves