New rules put stop to cheap booze in Caithness
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NEW regulations which will ban the sale of alcohol at discount prices are discriminating against sensible drinkers, according to a local councillor.
The Highland Council licensing board committee member David Flear said that new rules which will prevent alcohol being sold cheaply will leave some people feeling they are being penalised.
Changes to the Alcohol Scotland Act 2010 are due to come in on October 1. They will see new restrictions on how the public can buy alcohol and the way in which promotions are advertised.
Under new rules it will be illegal for stores to sell discount multi-offers such as buy one, get one free. Promotions about alcohol will also not be permitted outside the alcohol section of stores.
Retailers will still be able to set their own prices in relation to cases of wine and multipacks of alcohol.
The Landward Caithness councillor said he understands that the new regulations are trying to cut down on binge drinking. But he said that they will penalise those who do drink responsibly.
“Those who are maybe used to buying three bottles of wine at the weekend will find themselves having to pay a higher price because of those who are abusing the system,” he said. “It’s a very broad-brush approach to the problems associated with alcohol. Time will tell whether it will make any difference or whether the people who abuse alcohol will still buy as much as they can get hold of.”
The Scottish Government passed the bill to introduce the measures last November at Holyrood. As part of the new regulations, a Challenge 25 age verification scheme for all licensed premises will also be introduced in October.
The Government also hopes to pave the way for the introduction of a social responsibility levy to ensure those who profit from the sale of alcohol put something back into the community. However, a call to implement minimum pricing for alcohol was voted against last year.
Mr Flear said he would rather the Government looked at issues of pricing and the availability of alcohol. He also believes that more needs to be done to help those who suffer from alcohol problems.
“It is part of our society that there are people who are heavily dependent on alcohol,” he stated. “I don’t think that one strand is going to solve the problem. We do need to take a wider perspective on the issue of binge drinking.”
He added: “There will be people out there who will feel they are being penalised and they might rightly feel aggrieved.”
Wine and Spirit Trading Association chief executive Jeremy Beadles said his organisation is working with stores across Scotland to make sure they are in line with new regulations.
What it means for customers:
From Saturday, October 1, the new rules will effectively ban discount multi-buy offers such as:
Buy one, get one free.
Three for two.
Five for four or cheapest free.
Three bottles for £10.
Buy six, get 20 per cent off.
If a shop sells one can or bottle at £1, a four-pack must be priced at £4.
In stores where products are not stocked individually, cases of wine and multipacks of beer
Promotions about alcohol will not be permitted outside the alcohol section, so shoppers wanting to know what is on offer will have to visit the appropriate aisle.
