The SSG strongly support the Scottish Government's legislation to set a minimum unit price for alcohol. There is overwhelming evidence that such legislation will reduce deaths and harm from alcohol in Scotland. Although this legislation has been on the statute book since 2012, it has not yet been enacted because of a legal challenge by the Scottish Whisky Association. This challenge failed in the UK courts and is currently before the European Court. SHAAP, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, has been carrying out some high profile lobbying in Brussels.

I strongly encourage all SSG members, and anyone else, to register on-line support. The sooner the better - it only takes a few seconds -  but by the Monday 20th October at the latest: support-mupsaveslives.html

The case will be strengthened by support from other European countries, so if you have links with colleagues elsewhere in Europe, it would be great to ask for their support also. 

Thank you.

Alastair MacGilchrist

President, Scottish Society of Gastroenterology.

 

Further information

  • SHAAP's fact sheet:

http://www.shaap.org.uk/minimum-pricing-for-alcohol.html

  • Details of their recent event in Brussels: here
  • YouTube clip from the Brussels event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AMaN_0Q4l4

 

 

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