'Smoking ban' moment
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon had plainly done her research before .
She noted in passing she was aware that "courageous" decisions in politics could frequently unravel.
This was, of course, based upon an extensive study of the core work in political science: the box set of Yes Minister.
Whichever way up, this package is bold/courageous/radical. As Sir Humphrey would remind you, that does not make it intrinsically wise/sensible/practical.
Nor, of course, for the avoidance of doubt, does it make it a bad idea. It is open to objective scrutiny.
The main points in summary. Ministers want to increase the offsales age from 18 to 21, to set a minimum price for drink based on alcohol content, to end discount offers, to introduce alcohol-only checkouts at big shops, to levy a social responsibility fee on some retailers and to boost spending to address alcohol problems.
Big idea
Partly, I suspect, this is the SNP's "smoking ban" moment. Indeed, Ms Sturgeon set the measures in the context of a continuum of public health policy - including the ban on smoking in public places.
It is, in short, a Big Idea. A big idea which is now out for consultation. So why not start the debate here? Here are a few thoughts to get you going:
Ministers say we can't wait any longer to tackle the underlying culture, we have to amend policy.
The big levers on alcohol, they say, are price and availability - but are they right to target alcohol by volume, which shoves up the price of drinks like white cider while leaving malt and blended whisky alone?
Would the new plans clash with competition law? Ministers say no.
Can Holyrood tackle prices when they don't control duties? Ministers say yes, it's like the old-style RRP (recommended retail price.)
What about students? Shouldn't we enforce existing laws rather than introducing more?
Over to you.
I'm 
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