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10 Bob A Wee Dram........
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Good idea or punishing the many for the acts of the few?
Good idea or punishing the many for the acts of the few?
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Andy - this is nothing to do with luxury, nor is it an 'anti alcohol' edict, or even a tax on drinking - it simply seeks to protect the poorest in Society from predatory offers by big booze suppliers, whilst costing the vast majority of drinkers not one penny more for their drinks.
It is (I think) "A Good Thing" - but attempting to embroil it with more general anti-drinking rhetoric merely gives succour to its opponents and is not helpful.
It is (I think) "A Good Thing" - but attempting to embroil it with more general anti-drinking rhetoric merely gives succour to its opponents and is not helpful.
sunny-dave - // Andy - this is nothing to do with luxury, nor is it an 'anti alcohol' edict, or even a tax on drinking - it simply seeks to protect the poorest in Society from predatory offers by big booze suppliers, whilst costing the vast majority of drinkers not one penny more for their drinks. //
I get that - which is why I said that living in a society means doing the best for that society - this case, the poorer members of it who are exploited and damaged for profit.
I get that - which is why I said that living in a society means doing the best for that society - this case, the poorer members of it who are exploited and damaged for profit.
My beer of choice these days is Stella Artois purchased in 440ml cans for home consumption - I certainly would not class this as nasty alcohol.
Tesco sells an 18 can pack for £16 (sometimes £13 when on promotion).
Eighteen 440ml cans equals 7.92 litres, with 4.5% ABV the minimum price at 50p/unit would result in a minimum price north of the boarder of £18.
And some very reasonable red wines can be had for less than £4.69.
So with this proposed pricing structure, Scots will be paying well over the odds for their carryout.
Tesco sells an 18 can pack for £16 (sometimes £13 when on promotion).
Eighteen 440ml cans equals 7.92 litres, with 4.5% ABV the minimum price at 50p/unit would result in a minimum price north of the boarder of £18.
And some very reasonable red wines can be had for less than £4.69.
So with this proposed pricing structure, Scots will be paying well over the odds for their carryout.
Is this not a discussion that resembles the one about gun ownership in the USA ? The UK percentage of people who destroy their families and themselves through excess drinking (which is actually a much lower intake than is perceived by very many - "liking a drink" is seen as forgiveable at becoming intoxicated most days of the week, intoxicated being even mildly under the influence) is much higher than the percentage of the US population which commits gun crime. I am strongly in favour of strong restrictions on gun ownership wherever gun crime is a problem and (by extension) also in favour of price control on alcohol where there is evidence of widespread abuse of alcohol (similarly regarding knife crime, etc.).
Looking more closely I suspect most drinks that the majority will have are priced well over that. It's more aimed at the original white lightening rocket fuel ciders I suspect.
The problem with this sort of thing though is that it means more State control and this has been inching in on our lives bit by bit and is now becoming a concern.
Alcohol control though rarely works - just look at prohibition they ended up effectively creating the big US MAFIA gangs - people can brew their own or if riddled with addiction many will turn to stealing.
As in the USA gun issue, maybe we should be looking at the cause rather than tacking the symptom?
The problem with this sort of thing though is that it means more State control and this has been inching in on our lives bit by bit and is now becoming a concern.
Alcohol control though rarely works - just look at prohibition they ended up effectively creating the big US MAFIA gangs - people can brew their own or if riddled with addiction many will turn to stealing.
As in the USA gun issue, maybe we should be looking at the cause rather than tacking the symptom?
I predict that one unforeseen effect of this policy will be a big reduction in the sale of what is currently the cheaper brands of booze.
Why buy a low quality product (that would otherwise be cheaper), when it is now the same price as a premium brand product?
Imagine the government’s view is that cars are having a bad effect on the environment – and to curb their sales they pass a law mandating a minimum price for a car of £20,000.
No one in their right mind would buy a car that without the minimum pricing policy would cost £10,000 – when they can buy a much better car for the same price (£20,000).
Why buy a low quality product (that would otherwise be cheaper), when it is now the same price as a premium brand product?
Imagine the government’s view is that cars are having a bad effect on the environment – and to curb their sales they pass a law mandating a minimum price for a car of £20,000.
No one in their right mind would buy a car that without the minimum pricing policy would cost £10,000 – when they can buy a much better car for the same price (£20,000).
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