Scotland has today become the first country in the world to implement minimum unit pricing for alcohol as it aims to tackle public health problems caused by cheap, high-strength alcohol.
New legislation brought into force sets a minimum £0.50 per unit. Scottish government research suggests that the move is expected to save 392 lives in the first five years of implementation.
The decision to pass the legislation was made after the UK Supreme Court dismissed an appeal last November by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to prevent the measures from going ahead, following a five-year legal battle.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said there is a “proven link” between alcohol price and consumption and has been a backer of the minimum pricing.
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am extremely proud that the eyes of the world will once again be on Scotland with the introduction of this legislation.
Scotland first minister Nicola Sturgeon
“Our action is bold and it is brave, and shows once again that we are leading the way in introducing innovative solutions to public health challenges.
“It’s no secret that Scotland has a troubled relationship with alcohol. There are, on average, 22 alcohol-specific deaths every week in Scotland, and 697 hospital admissions and behind every one of these statistics is a person, a family, and a community badly affected by alcohol misuse.
“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum unit pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high-strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families.”
Scottish health secretary Shona Robison added: “We know we need to act now to change people’s attitudes towards alcohol and I am confident that, with the introduction of minimum unit pricing, we are moving in the right direction. Alcohol misuse costs Scotland £3.6 billion each year – that’s £900 for every adult in the country.
“Scotland has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths in the UK. From today, I hope we will see that change.”
Following last year’s Supreme Court ruling, the SWA said it will look to the Scottish and UK governments “to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against Scotch whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing”.
Christopher Snowden, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, is critical of the new legislation.
He said: “It will become clear that minimum pricing is not a targeted measure that will only affect a few strong ciders. The public has been misled about this policy from the outset. Back-of-the-envelope calculations have been used to justify a nationwide rip off that will raise the cost of living for all but the very rich.
“If alcohol companies colluded to fix prices in this way, they would be prosecuted. Minimum pricing will suck tens of millions of pounds out of the pockets of ordinary drinkers to feed the egos of grandstanding politicians. Today is a good day if you run an off licence in Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is a bad day to be Scottish.”
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