Minimum alcohol price for Scotland to be set at 45p

2nd September 2010, 12:19pm

The proposed minimum price for alcohol will be set at 45p per unit, it was announced today.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that saving lives, saving money and saving future generations from the 'harm and misery caused by alcohol misuse' are just some of the benefits alcohol minimum pricing could bring.

Sturgeon said: "For too long, too many Scots have been drinking themselves into an early grave. It cannot be right that a man can exceed his weekly recommended alcohol limit for less than £3.50. That's why we're taking decisive action, including proposals to introduce a minimum price per unit, which would bring these pocket money prices to an end."

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said the news was "wrong in principle". WSTA spokesman Gavin Partington said: "Setting a minimum price at 45p doesn't alter the fact that minimum pricing is wrong in principle. It won't tackle alcohol misuse but will punish families on low incomes and pensioners.

"Surely Ministers cannot believe that making a hazardous drinker pay an extra £1.08 per week is going to solve the problem. It's time the Scottish Government stopped pursuing an approach already rejected by Parliament and started working with other politicians and stakeholders on a range of policies to address the root causes of alcohol misuse."

The Scottish Government will table an amendment to the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill to introduce the 45p price. The bill is about to start the second stage of the parliamentary process.

Statistics published this week show that Scotland continues to drink more than every other part of the UK.

Related Articles:

• 16 Dec 2010 - Wine sales are growing in pubs and restaurants
• 24 Sep 2010 - Nominations begin for The Scottish Restaurant Awards 2011
• 21 May 2010 - Tesco throws down minimum alcohol pricing gauntlet to new government
• 19 Jan 2010 - Mandatory conditions announced for sale of alcohol in pubs
• 26 Nov 2009 - WSTA condemns Scottish government over minimum alcohol pricing plans
• 05 Nov 2009 - Minimum alcohol pricing will target cheap supermarket products
• 16 Mar 2009 - Prime Minister rejection of minimum alcohol pricing is 'hypocritical'
• 16 Mar 2009 - Minimum alcohol price plans to be unveiled

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