Posted on 12/31/2007 7:14:26 AM PST by Arec Barrwin
Boozing Is Scotland's National Sport Says Govt. Minister
Dec 29 2007 By Magnus Gardham
BINGE drinking during the festive season has become Scotland's "national sport", a government minister has warned.
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill hit out as he promised a long-term strategy to change the country's damaging bevvy culture.
He launched his latest attack on Scots' drinking habits as the country prepares to party on Hogmanay.
He said: "Scotland has a huge cultural problem with alcohol. It's never more evident than around Christmas and New Year when getting drunk can feel and look like the national sport.
"It's impossible to walk down the street at night without seeing people who've simply had too much to drink.
"We're not saying don't have a drink. I enjoy the occasional pint of beer as much as the next man.
"But when nearly half of those accused of murder were drunk when they committed their offence, when one Scot dies every six hours from alcohol abuse, when alcohol costs our economy tens of millions, it's time to say enough is enough.
"For the good of Scotland and everyone who lives in or visits the country, we need to take action."
MacAskill was detained in the cells before Scotland faced England at Wembley in 1999.
He was held on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly but not charged or cautioned.
As justice secretary in the SNP government, he has led a crusade against Scotland's booze culture.
The government will publish a long-term plan to change attitudes to alcohol next year, he said. It includes a ban on "three for two" or "three for £10" wine offers, which he said encouraged people to drink more.
MacAskill has already raised the cost of liquor licenses by up to 40 per cent. Pub bosses claim that will put 2p on a pint.
And he is considering billing licencees for the cost of policing in town and city centres on Friday and Saturday nights.
The funds would also pay for taxi rank marshals and heavily patrolled "safe zones".
It follows the previous Labour and Lib Dem executive's moves to ban pub "happy hours".
Public health minister Shona Robison said the government would "kickstart a change in our cultural relationship with alcohol" next year.
She added: "Scots need to think about how much they drink and do something about it."
Boozing costs s1billion a year in time off work, NHS bills and police and court time.
What can you expect out of a land where the men used to wear plaid skirts?
I thought that was the national sport of Wales (Ireland gets an honorable mention).
- Louis MacNeice
Might as well go with your strong suit.
Time to update passport....
Scotland has a huge cultural problem with alcoholobviously hasn't tasted Balvenie double-wood.
“BINGE drinking during the festive season has become Scotland’s “national sport”, a government minister has warned.”
Become?
The history of the whole British Isles is one of a 1500 year alcoholic haze. And so what? Most people in medieval England for instance were perpetually drunk - all the while!
Really it is part of the culture, unless you have lived there you wouldn’t really understand.
But if they all stop getting drunk, there won’t be anymore Loch Ness Monster sightings. Hard to see ole Nessie without a wee bit of Glen Fiddich.
Hey, it’s a helluva lot better than hockey...
Your right about being apart of the culture. I was stationed over there in the early ‘90’s. Everybody drank from about age 13 on. NOW they want to do something about it. Geeeez.
Coming to a country near you!
I admire their dedication.
Is it just me, or does the SNP government on Scotland have a death wish?
ping for the UK ping list... And Happy New year!
YAY!
Most cultures actually hold that distinction.
And to this day, it still takes a real man to wear ‘em!
I wont disagree.
My own brother has one in honor of our Scottish ancestors.
But I tell him if a kilt had been so important to our illustrious immigrant, he would have stayed in Scotland. :)
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