Minimum alcohol pricing is not a class act

Sir, – Is it not wonderful to see people critical of the Scottish Government and the Parliament for at least trying to end the unhealthy relationship that some in Scotland have with alcohol.

Apparently, making cheap alcoholic drinks more expensive is an attack on the working class while not tackling the wine drinkers is helping the middle classes.

If you have enough money to kill yourselves through excessive wine drinking I somehow doubt the Scottish Government is likely to be able to stop you.

Having experienced the harmful effects of problem drinking in my own wider family I am not sure Minimum Unit Pricing would have made any difference, but I am happy to applaud the Scottish Government and Parliament for attempting to make a start on tackling the bad relationship some have with alcohol.

If you cannot admit you have a problem and need help there is little hope for you.

In the 1980 a riot between the Old Firm at the Scottish Cup Final, not between the Dundee or Renfrewshire rivals, led the then Conservative government to bring in legislation with regard to alcohol at football grounds in Scotland.

Some people regard the ban at football grounds but not rugby grounds as another attack on the working class at the expense of the middle class. Has there been a riot at a major rugby match related to alcohol use like that which occurred at the Scottish Cup Final in 1980? Peter Ovenstone. Orchard Grove, Peterhead.

The Old Firm derby riot in 1980 which prompted legislation.