Barbara O'Donnell: We must change Scots drink culture and pricing is a start

This new research adds more weight to the debate.

On average, we are drinking 24 per cent more than the rest of Britain, and that is as much as two extra pints per person per week.

Another important point is that the gap between how much Scots and people in the rest of the country are drinking is widening. The reasons why Scots drink more than the rest of the UK are difficult to pin down. It is certainly a cultural thing, and we have been talking for many years now about the effects of our culture on our drinking habits.

We have to think about how we tend to normalise alcohol in our society and in our everyday living.

Alcohol seems to be associated in everything we do and is everywhere around us.

The culture of our relationship with alcohol will continue to come under scrutiny.

Some have suggested that a minimum price approach will punish responsible drinkers, as well as problem drinkers.

Chronic drinkers who consume the very cheap alcohol will be affected by minimum pricing, but we also know that they are price-sensitive and will reduce their consumption. There is also evidence that around 25 to 30 per cent of people on low incomes don't buy alcohol.

Minimum pricing should not be seen as a punishment. It is about raising the price across the board. People who drink reasonably are not going to see a huge impact.

It is not about punishment. It is about having a realistic price for alcohol. If we reduce our consumption we will reduce alcohol-related harm.

The cheap price of alcohol, which is highlighted in the reports, is shocking.

For 4.40 you can actually buy enough alcohol to exceed the weekly limit for a man, whereas for women it would be just 3.

These are pocket money prices.

We also have to remember that alcohol is no ordinary commodity. There are a whole range of regulations protecting its sale.

Selling alcohol at rock-bottom prices does not balance with such regulations.

Minimum pricing on its own will not tackle all problem drinking, but it is the main measure that we think we should have at our disposal.

We also need to make sure that enforcement is carried out, so alcohol is not sold to people who are already intoxicated, or young people under the age of 18.

We have to look at alcohol information. People need to be aware of how much they are drinking and the effect that it can have on their own health and the lives of others around them.

We need a minimum price, control on access and availability, enforcement of the Licensing Law and good information for the public.

Together, these measures should start to address our unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Good alcohol policies save lives, bad alcohol policies cost lives.

l Barbara O'Donnell is director of services for Alcohol Focus Scotland