Lib Dems call for more responsible alcohol marketing campaigns (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems call for more responsible alcohol marketing campaigns

October 5, 2009 8:03 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has called on Ministers and policy makers to encourage more responsible alcohol marketing to help bring about the culture change needed to tackle Scotland's damaging relationship with alcohol.

Mr Brown's call comes after a BBC Scotland investigation revealed that alcohol played a major roll in 68% of Scottish Ambulance Service call outs at weekends and as policy makers meet today (Monday) in Glasgow to discuss new ways to tackle problems caused by alcohol abuse.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"These figures highlight just how widespread and damaging the effects of alcohol abuse are in Scotland. It is worrying that alcohol related call outs may be preventing our hard working ambulance crews from reaching others in need of help.

"Alcohol related call outs are largely preventable if, as a nation, we can adopt a more responsible approach to alcohol consumption.

"Policy makers meeting in Glasgow today must acknowledge the importance of working to bring about a culture change in Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

"The key target has to be the disastrous practice of "pre-loading" where people get tanked up at home before going out to clubs and bars. The alcohol industry itself must do more to discourage irresponsible drinking like this.

"A good first step would be to adopt much more responsible marketing campaigns. A partnership between Government, local communities, alcohol producers and supermarkets to use advertising budgets to help change attitudes could be very effective.

"The SNP Government's proposal for minimum pricing is marginal at best and will not address the real reason of why people drink themselves stupid in the first place.

"Ministers should also be focusing on using existing legislation to crack down on irresponsible retailers and bars."