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APPENDIX 4: SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY TWO MSPs
Two MSPs, Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) and Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) conducted their own consultation exercises amongst constituents in selected areas of their constituencies.
Michael Matheson MSP (Falkirk West)
Michael Matheson MSP issued a one-page consultation form to constituents in his Falkirk West constituency. Over 500 people returned completed questionnaires covering six questions based on the questions asked in the Scottish Government's discussion paper.
The responses to the six questions were as follows:
- Do you think that further action requires to be taken to end irresponsible promotion and below cost-selling of alcoholic drinks in licensed premises?
Yes: 84%
No: 16%
- Should there be the introduction of a minimum retail pricing of alcohol?
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
- Should there be a raising of the minimum purchase age to 21 in off-sales, from 18 years?
Yes: 78%
No: 22%
- Do you agree with the introduction of a social responsibility fee applied to some alcohol retailers to offset the costs of dealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse?
Yes: 70%
No: 30.5%
- Should there be further restrictions on promotional material in licensed premises?
Yes: 74%
No: 26%
- Should there be separate checkouts in large supermarkets for alcohol sales?
Yes: 57.5%
No: 42.5%
The most common suggestions made by respondents on what information parents would find particularly helpful in relation to alcohol were:
- awareness of consequences of drinking ( e.g. health, violence) - 59%;
- emphasis on parental responsibility ( e.g. being a good role model) - 16%;
- information to help parents deal with under-age drinking ( e.g. strengths of drinks and how they affect behaviour) - 13%; and,
- feedback from police when children are caught drinking - 9%.
Christine Grahame MSP (South of Scotland)
Christine Grahame MSP carried out a consultation exercise in Penicuik, Midlothian and the nearby communities. 13,000 leaflets and a five question survey form were issued to residents selected from the electoral register and "within two weeks approaching 2,000 people had replied." Analysis of the first 1,000 responses shows the following responses:
- Do you think alcohol abuse is a major problem leading to increased crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour?
Yes: 95%
No: 3%
Undecided: 2%
- Do you think irresponsible promotion selling and below cost selling should be restricted?
Yes: 72%
No: 21%
Undecided: 7%
- Do you agree alcohol should be priced by strength to restrain 'get me drunk quick and cheap'?
Yes: 62%
No: 25%
Undecided: 13%
- Do you think the minimum age for purchase of alcohol in off-sales should be raised to 21?
Yes: 68%
No: 24%
Undecided: 8%
- Do you think there should be separate checkouts for alcohol in supermarkets?
Yes: 45%
No: 43%
Undecided: 12%
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