The Council’s Policy and Resources (Community Safety and Health) Sub Committee, which Cllr Coleman chairs, agreed to write to Glasgow Licensing Board as a result of hearing a report on17 August 2005, condemning the practice of distributing alcohol sales displays throughout shops and stores in the light of the city’s well-documented problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

The report specifically outlined concerns expressed by the city’s Addictions Working Group which identified a need to restrict multi point displaying in premises licensed as off-sales.  The Working Group partners believe there is a direct connection between such displays and increased alcohol consumption.

Councillor Coleman said:  “Placing alcohol around the store encourages people to buy on impulse as the messages of a ‘special offer’ or bargain buy’ are constantly reinforced when people are shopping. They are encouraged to buy alcohol when they were not in for that purchase or buy significantly more than they intended.

“I know of stores where special drinks offers have been piled up at the end of a DVD display, beside the chocolates, birthday cards and children’s toys - miles away from the main drinks sales shelves.

“We don’t need to look further than our daily papers to see the damage excessive alcohol does to our health.

“I intend to write to the Board asking for a review of its policy and put the health and welfare of our citizens first when it comes to alcohol sales.”

Glasgow’s Addictions Working Group is a partnership with Glasgow City Council, Greater Glasgow National Health Service and Strathclyde Police.

Glasgow Licensing Board is a statutory body in its own right, separate from Glasgow City Council