If alcohol is such a social evil why is government not aiming to ban it outright?

Alex Neil is being too economical with the truth (“Ex Minister blames delay to minimum pricing for 400 deaths”, 22 November). If alcohol is seen to be such a social evil then why are the Scottish National Party not trying to ban it outright? They already have a long track record in wanting to ban smacking, diesel and petrol cars and even parental responsibility. Smoking is nearly there too. At the same time Mr Neil accuses the Scotch whisky industry, one of Scotland’s biggest assets, of making too much money. This cannot be sensible unless the SNP would prefer them to be doing badly? Tightly targeted taxation and bans seems to be the first choice policies of the SNP. We all know alcohol abuse is a problem. We all know it needs a solution. Raising taxation, even in conjunction with other measures, just does not appear to be the way to do this successfully. Is an SNP ban on profits next? (DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow I am no apologist for the Scotch Whisky Association but Alex Neil goes too far in accusing it of being complicit in the deaths of 392 people over the past five years. He bases his claim on research done (or a guesstimate) by academics at Sheffield University which “suggested” that lives “could” have been saved had the policy been introduced earlier. I have no idea how this figure was reached but it was certainly not through personal experience.

I have lost a much-loved family member to alcohol abuse and I can state categorically that an increase in the price of alcohol would not have made the slightest difference to this outcome. It would, however, have meant less money available to meet the needs of his family and I believe that will be the immediate outcome for those in communities particularly affected by alcohol abuse problems.

ROSEMARY SHAW Caroline Terrace, Edinburgh