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Thursday, May 1, 2008

MacAskill leads the crusade to outlaw sales of cheap alcohol
01 May 2008

By BRIAN FERGUSON

TACKLING Scotland's alcohol problem and the scourge of under-age drinking has been one of the main crusades of the Scottish Government since the SNP came to power last May.

Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, has mapped out plans to clamp down on irresponsible promotions in shops in addition to measures passed by the Scottish Parliament to outlaw cheap deals in pubs.

Proposals have also been unveiled for a polluter pays" scheme that would see
supermarkets and off-licences forced to pay a levy to meet the cost of drink-related problems in local communities.

Ministers and officials have become increasingly convinced that retailers are fuelling crime and anti-social behaviour by selling cheap liquor. The levy would raise millions to be spent by local licensing boards on projects to deal with the consequences of binge drinking, such as "drunk tanks".
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