Tuesday 1st May 2018. The day Scotland fought the self interests of the drink industry and WON. I know we are not usually known for winning, but this was too big an issue to lose.
Come on Rest of UK, and Europe come along and join us, no need to fear the self interests of the Scottish Whisky Association as they whimper back to their layers.
Let's get the party started, at least if not non alcoholic, at least not on cheap harmful alcohol.
George
This can only be good news George.
Both myself and laura009, have been discussing this at length over the past few days and have become totally disgusted and disillusioned with this whole political scandal. I have now twice written to our three local MP's here in Stoke-on-Trent about the BLT's "Love you Liver" campaign coming to the city later this year. I have also sent them fact sheets about the very high mortality rate in the area associated to Liver disease. (22.4% per 100,000). I've also written to Jeremy Hunt about this too and have invited him along to the event. Out of all these letters I've only ever had one email back.
Over the past few months, the Alcohol Health Alliance has been trying to get people to write to there MP's: ahauk.org/category/campaigns/
You'd think this would all be good stuff but I've been digging a little deeper, and have found two articles that appeared in the bmj (British Medical Journal). These go back to 2014, but I now understand the political skulduggery that's working well in Westminster and why MP's will ignore correspondence appertaining Alcohol abuse.
In 2016, a total of 7,327 people died from alcohol-specific causes in the UK. The government estimates that alcohol-related harm currently costs the NHS £3.7 billion every year, but it makes 10 bn in revenue generated from alcohol taxes, so you only have to do the maths to see why no-one in government cares. It's all about money and not about peoples lives and the damage it does to families.
I am now going to present all my findings and present them to a national news paper.
While "HealthUnlocked" isn't the right platform to be discussing this issue, it all boils down to education and saving peoples lives.
I'm now going to step down off this soapbox and go and enjoy the rest of my Birthday.
Best Wishes
Richard.
For those of you who are interested in the BMJ articles, they can be found on the following links.
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2014/01/0...
Happy birthday Richard !
Good on you and thanks for all you are doing, discovering, uncovering and highlighting.
Laura x
I agree- this is a positive piece of leglislation - I don’t see any downsides unless it drives a large increase in underground hooch which I suppose is a possibility
My only concern is that enforcement is down to local authorities, and not a criminal matter under the new Scottish laws, but that can be addressed when Rest of UK get on board.
Life after alcohol
TX to another liver unit
engaging with alcohol support for transplant assessment
Living with cirrosis and alcohol 
High Gamma Due to Alcohol
