A Toast to the Scottish Government

There aren't a lot of bright spots in healthcare at the moment, what with Daniel Hannan slagging off the NHS on American tv and the political parties rushing to its defence while simultaneously privatising what's left of it. But today there was a good news story. The Scottish government has brought in measures to restrict the sale of alchohol to one place in supermarkets, to ban irresponsible drinks promotions and loss leaders, and is following up with proposals to price drinks according to units instead of classification. This means that sights like this are going to become a thing of the past. I'm sure there are folks out there who are disappointed not to find their regular Lambrusco beside a pair of rolling skates in Tescos, but otherwise I think it's a good day for Scotland and a gold star for Nicola Sturgeon. It looks like we have someone fit for taking on the big drinks companies at last.

Scotlands Drink Problem in Pictures

Do you want to know why Scotland has a drink problem? You need look no further than you r local supermarket. This is the scene that greeted me at Tesco yesterday;















Yep, right at the entrance. Three big bins that you can't miss; make it wine, because more women shop in here than men. Put it on the right hand side; most folk are right handed and it'll make it even easier.

Ok. I want to buy a wide screen telly. Oh, there's some wine that I can buy instead. What was it I wanted?
















I promised wee Jamie that I'd get him a pair of roller skates. Oh, there's some wine next to them; really convenient, that'll go well with the skates..




















Right, some bacon for breakfast and a morning snifter to wash it down..

















Nothing like a cheap lasagne full of hydrogenated fats to go with some Chasse du Pape.



















Right, I'll get some ice cubes for the Coke and lemonade that I'm buying. Oooh, wonder what ice cubes are like in wine?
















Why do we have a drink problem? Why is the number of women with a drink problem increasing? Send to Johnny Tesco Walker,The Ministry of the Bleedin' Obvious, Chardonnay Aisle, St Budweiser's-in-the-Square, Glasgow PST ASA NEWT. And the prize is a bottle of wine..