On the early TV broadcast news and in the extended website version, this major report finds the SNP minimum pricing policy to have been a major success, with evidence of 13.4% reduction in related deaths, a 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions and whopping 40% reduction among men in the most deprived areas.
These should have been the headline grabbing comments but instead BBC Scotland headline and open the report with:
Call to raise ‘life-saving’ minimum alcohol price in Scotland
Scotland should increase its minimum unit price for alcohol from 50p to 65p, campaigners have said.
It came as a final evaluation of the policy found that it reduced alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions, and lowered alcohol consumption.
However, Public Health Scotland also said it had a limited impact on the most harmful drinkers.
Health experts said ministers should consider increasing the unit price to build on the “life-saving policy”.
The Scottish government said it would consider the report’s findings.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66020624
Only then do we hear of the major conclusions, presented as only ‘claims’ of course, of the report, before moving on to platform shopkeepers complaints and reports of alleged damage done by the MUP scheme, to addicts.
We know from research going back decades that many media news consumers only read headlines, with perhaps the opening lines, and most do not read the full text. BBC Scotland editors know that and carefully sequence the presentation of information to suit the overall agenda they have, to undermine the SNP whenever and however they can.
This sequencing approach allows them to always claim full and balanced coverage, if only folk would read it all.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
And, the usual selective reporting of focussing attention on the data regarding the ‘most hardened drinkers’. Changes in the behaviour of this group have been very small, as anyone with experience of heavy drinkers would have predicted. They are so addicted that the will to make choices to change is very difficult.
However, the policy was instituted to change the attitude towards drinking in the wider population and that is being very successful. Fewer people drinking heavily now leads to fewer alcohol related illness and deaths in the future.
But, no, BBC Scotland rejoices in the fact that alcohol addicts continue to die. By the BBC Scotland fallacious logic – since the policy ‘fails’ problem drinkers, it is a FAILURE. This is ‘the perfectionist fallacy’.
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As I understand it for problem drinkers it is up to them to take the first step in what is a 12 step programme. What triggers them to take that first step will vary from heavy drinker to heavy drinker. MUP was designed to put a brake on people reaching that stage and in the process help their health which MUP has done.
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Yes, that is correct.
Earlier this year Alistair Campbell address the Glasgow Philosphical Society and he spoke of his own battle with excessive use of alcohol.
He was a close friend of Charles Kennedy the late leader of the LibDems, who also had a serious problem with alcohol. While Campbell found the strength with the support of wife and family to choose not to drink, he said Charles Kennedy could not or would not make that choice. He and others had got Kennedy on several occasions to agree to treatment, but at the final step he always backed off and failed to turn up.
Campbell was quite emotional and concluded that when point arrived to make the choice Charles did not want to make it.
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The minimum price should be raised. Alcohol as a proportion of income is still higher than it was previously. Blair’s 24/7 drinking culture. The pubs would shut at 10pm. Alcohol was less affordable and limited to celebration occasions. Now people can drink wine every night and go on bender at weekends. Alcohol is more available because of being more affordable as a proportion of income. Women used to drink less.
The money that would be saved on the NHS, social care, police and prison. Alcohol is linked to crime, Much crime is committed under the influence of drink or drugs. Or additional needs without proper support. Prison £40,000 a year. £250 million funding over 5 years for proper total abstinence rehab facilities.
The SNP Gov fought for 5 years to bring in MUP. A way to control prices and the misuse of alcohol. They cannot tax it. Many countries control the sale of alcohol for health reasons. Scotland which has an historic problem could do the same. The SNP Gov has reduced consumption and reduced disease and premature death. Scotland used to consume 25% more alcohol than the rest of the UK. Down to 10%. because of SNP Gov policy. There was a higher starting point. Drink driving limit reduced,
Labour were opposed to MUP and the smoking ban.
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Between this story and the ferry disaster loop I had switched off before 7.39 and tune into scottishindypod.scot/ instead, good to hear you getting some credit for all your work. I wasn’t aware of this site so there’s plenty more to explore
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As I have always said , Westminster will do anything to stop Scottish independence .People have in the past questioned me about this statement saying no not anything.
Look to the past you will find proof that Westminster are not averse to killing people to stop countries becoming independent and if you believe they won’t do the same to Scottish people you are misguided.
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Willie MacRae?
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colpermc….exactly ….
Seeing British army posted on street corners is very likely if a majority vote for Scottish independence and Westminster refuse to accept the majority ,
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