我要吃瓜

Article

Alcohol licensing in Scotland: a historical overview: Alcohol licensing in Scotland

Details

Citation

Nicholls J (2012) Alcohol licensing in Scotland: a historical overview: Alcohol licensing in Scotland. Addiction, 107 (8), pp. 1397-1403. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03799.x

Abstract
Aim? This paper provides a historical overview of licensing law in Scotland. It seeks to put important contemporary policy developments into their historical context and to draw attention to key themes in licensing policy debates across the United Kingdom. Design? Based on a survey of statutes, commissions of enquiry and consumption and retail data, this paper draws together historical evidence to present a synopsis of Scottish licensing history. Settings? The article focuses on Scotland, but also discusses UK-wide licensing policy over a 250-year period. Findings? Scottish licensing has diverged from licensing in England and Wales and has addressed some historical licensing weaknesses, including problems of accountability, overprovision and systemic oversight regarding off-sales. Distinctive features of current Scottish legislation include public health protection as a statutory licensing objective; local Licensing Forums and Licensing Standards Officers; a requirement for explicit policies on the ‘overprovision’ of licensed premises; mandatory restrictions on price promotions in the on- and off-trades; and limitations on opening hours for off-licences. Conclusion? Scotland has developed alcohol policies several times addressing long-standing licensing weaknesses throughout the United Kingdom. Some Scottish alcohol policies have later become the norm in England and Wales.

Keywords
Alcohol policy; public health; licensing; Scotland

Journal
Addiction: Volume 107, Issue 8

StatusPublished
Funders
Publication date31/08/2012
Publication date online30/05/2012
Date accepted by journal10/01/2012
URL
PublisherWiley
ISSN0965-2140
eISSN1360-0443

People (1)

Dr James Nicholls

Dr James Nicholls

Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Health Sciences Stirling