The medico-social aspects of liquor licensing

The present Licensing Law has failed in its stated purpose of diminishing the misuse of alcohol. On the contrary the misuse of alcohol is increasing year by year. The recommendations of the Scottish Departmental Committee (1971-1973) would, if fully implemented, go far to remedying this defect by providing effective legislative support encouraging improved social attitudes to drink. The Licensing (Scotland) Bill 1976 will, from a technical point of view, discard much that was obsolete and promote much that is wise in the practice of licensing, but if passed into law unchanged the Bill will not have the full social impact on drinking habits and, therefore, on the misuse of alcohol for which we had hoped.