KAREN Betts, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, seems remarkably ill-informed for someone in her position.
In her letter (July 13) she states that a raft of other interventions and measures are needed, which is exactly what the Scottish Government has done.
She could have reduced the length of her letter to just the start of her third paragraph: "The Scotch Whisky Industry does not support the introduction of minimum pricing" and increased its accuracy by adding "despite evidence of the efficacy of such a measure, supported by a wide group of organisations and individuals".
David Hay,
12 Victoria Park, Minard, Argyll.
A COHORT of GPs has called for the minimum price of alcohol in Scotland to be increased (Letters, July 12). The expectation is that alcohol-induced harm among the poor would thereby be reduced and the doctors' wishes are commendable.
However, might such a well-meaning approach have the unintended consequence of a shift away from alcohol to other equally harmful agents?
Individuals who seek oblivion by means of mind-altering substances seem unlikely to adopt abstinence merely as a result of vodka and cider becoming more expensive. Friendly neighbourhood drug dealers may seize the opportunity to expand their business, should the necessary legislation go ahead.
Dr Bob Scott,
Creitendam Lodge, Balmaha Road, Drymen.
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