Both Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and Alcohol Focus Scotland have moved to defend Glasgow Licensing Board after reports that it was expected to face legal action over its controversial move to limit display areas for alcohol on the grounds that it did not promote or protect public health.
Asda, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and the Co-operative have all been denied permission to expand their alcohol areas.
Dr Evelyn Gillan, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland applauded the move, adding: “The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires boards to consider the protection and improvement of public health when deciding whether or not to approve licenses.
“There is good evidence that increasing the availability of alcohol leads to an increase in health and social harm. Glasgow has one of the highest number of alcohol-related deaths in the UK,” she added.
“The licensing board are rightly taking the view that allowing supermarkets more space to sell alcohol can only make a bad situation worse.”
Gillan said it would be “extremely worrying” if the supermarkets take legal action against the board “which is simply following the spirit of the law and putting public health first”.
Dr Bruce Ritson, chairman of SHAAP said Glasgow’s alcohol-related death rates, the highest in the UK, and growing alcohol-related problems in the city, are linked to the increased availability and affordability of alcohol.
But yesterday, trade groups still criticised the board’s moves.
A Scottish Retail Consortium spokesman, said: “The licensing board’s actions will simply penalise customers.
“Smaller alcohol display areas will not tackle problem drinking, but will mean less choice and convenience for ordinary shoppers. Licensing boards must take a commonsense approach to alcohol shelf-space.”
