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You and Yours: Minimum pricing, Hairdressers, Xylitol

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Minimum pricing, Hairdressers, Xylitol

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Minimum pricing, Hairdressers, Xylitol

Has minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland started to have an effect on how much people drink? And traditional hairdressers are closing at record rates - how can they survive?

When the Scottish government introduced a minimum price for alcohol in May, they claimed it would save 58 lives in its first year and reduce hospital admissions by 1,300.  Nearly six months in, the earliest data suggests that might be optimistic - the volume of alcohol sold has risen by four per cent. And where sales of some cheap booze like cider have slumped, the evidence seems to show drinkers have simply moved to other low-cost drinks like sparkling wine. Ministers say that's largely down to a 'summer of celebration', with the World Cup, Royal Wedding and hot summer all contributing to an uptake in alcohol consumption.

Vets are warning about a sugar substitute that's deadly to dogs - Xylitol. It's commonly found in chewing gum but is being increasingly used in other products like cakes and sweets as manufacturers seek alternatives to sugar. But just a small amount can cause serious harm or even be fatal for dogs. There's a call for manufacturers to include clearer warnings on ingredient labels about the dangers.

And high-street hairdressers who just do haircuts are closing down at the fastest rate in three years.  They're being overtaken by salons that have diversified by offering beauty treatments alongside. We've been to a traditional hairdresser in Merseyside to see what they're doing to keep up with changing trends.

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