1. NGOs: Essential partners in Alcohol Policy Eric Carlin, Director, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems 7th European Alcohol Policy Conference, Ljubljana, 22nd November 2016

2. Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Psychiatrists of Scotland
Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health in Scotland
Royal College of GPs in Scotland
Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow
Faculty of General Dental Practice
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Public Health
Royal College of Emergency Medicine

3. Presentation overview
Make clear why NGOS are essential partners in Alcohol Policy
Draw on specific experience of Scotland’s battle to introduce a Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for Alcohol to demonstrate what we can achieve as international partners
Emphasise continuing importance of meaningful NGO engagement

4. Context
Alcohol is culturally acceptable and legal drug in most countries
‘No ordinary commodity’ (Babor,2003)
Alcohol harms disproportionately affect the poor – linked to broader inequalities
NGO cooperation on projects
- eg RARHA, APYN, FYFA
NGOs as advocates for effective policy, though at EU level with limited outcomes
- eg EU Alcohol Strategy, labelling, AVMSD,
MUP

5. The need for meaningful NGO engagement

6. WHO Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol (2010)
Public health measures can be in conflict with free markets, consumer choice and economic interests. Alcohol producers and traders are important players as developers, producers, distributors, marketers and sellers.

7. Scotland and Alcohol

8. Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012
Minimum unit price (MUP) of 50p for all alcohol sold through licensed premises
Expiry of MUP after 6 years unless Scottish Ministers make provision for it to continue (the sunset clause)
Report for Scottish Parliament on the operation and effect of MUP after 5 years (the review clause)

9. 2013
2014

10. In 2014, with support of Eurocare and EPHA, SHAAP established a pan-European NGO partnership to support MUP campaign

12. Outcomes
Member states’ opinions to Commission in 2012: In support: Ireland, UK Against: Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal Concerns: Austria Member states’ opinions to ECJ in 2015: In support: UK, Ireland, Finland, EFTA, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands Against: Bulgaria, Portugal, Poland, Spain (all no change) Did not submit: Denmark, France, Germany (all opposed in 2012) Austria (raised concerns in 2012)

13. ECJ Decision, 23rd December 2015:
Scottish courts to determine whether other measures are capable of protecting human life and health as effectively as MUP, while being less restrictive of trade in those products within the EU.

14. Scottish Court of Session, October 2016
Minimum pricing would attain the stated objective of protecting life and health, particularly of harmful and hazardous drinkers in the lower quintile, gauged by wealth, of the population…taxation, on its own or in combination, would not achieve the same or a similar objective. 

15. It’s not over till it’s over – 18th November 2016

16. Why? Scotch Whisky Association:
"strong view that minimum pricing is incompatible with EU law and likely to be ineffective”
“Scottish court has not properly reviewed the legislation's compatibility with EU law”
Do they seriously believe that?
Delay to protect profits, wear down politicians?
Deter present actions across the water in Ireland and across Europe?

17. Contempt for democratic process?
All involved parties have the responsibility to act in ways that do not undermine the implementation of public policies and interventions to prevent and reduce harmful use of alcohol (WHO, 2010).
Douglas Meikle - Head of Alcohol Policy, Scotch Whisky Association, 18th November 2016 on Twitter:

18. Conclusions
Effective NGO partnerships are more essential than ever
As is principled and consistent political leadership – at national and international levels.
David can defeat Goliath.
Thank you!