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CHILDREN 1ST responds to minimum pricing decision
Thursday 11 November 2010
CHILDREN 1ST expressed disappointment yesterday as the proposal for minimum pricing on alcohol was rejected by MSPs following the Stage 3 debate on the Alcohol Bill at the Scottish Parliament.
The charity has been supportive of minimum pricing and a range of other changes to alcohol licensing to help address the drinking culture in Scotland – a culture that children often the bear the brunt of through parental alcohol misuse.
Kate Higgins, Policy Manager for CHILDREN 1ST, said: "We feel that this is a missed opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families across Scotland. A large number of children in Scotland live with the daily impacts of parental alcohol misuse, affecting their emotional and physical wellbeing, their safety and their development. Policy action on price and availability is clearly needed to help change our drinking culture."
“Despite today’s setback, it is crucial that we continue to talk about parental alcohol misuse and discuss measures that can be taken to help protect the children who are affected by it. We know that many parents receive little or no information and advice about how their alcohol consumption can affect their children. Providing the right advice and help for parents before their child is born or whilst their child is still young, could have a major influence on changing their drinking habits. CHILDREN 1ST are asking the Government to look creatively at ways of delivering this. We would also like to see improved support for the young people whose childhoods are being blighted by parental drinking."
Last updated: Thursday 11 November 2010
