A challenge to the Scottish government’s plans to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcoholic drinks has failed in the UK’s Supreme Court, paving the way for more effective regulation of cheap and high-strength alcohol.
It means that a minimum price – proposed at £0.50 per unit – will be enforced on alcoholic drinks in Scotland. At this level, a bottle of high-strength cider like Frosty Jack’s could not be legally sold for less than £3.75 per litre, while a Scottish lager such as Tennent’s would be £2.05 per litre.
FoodBev has rounded up some of the key responses to this morning’s ruling, which effectively dismisses objections raised by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Karen Betts Scotch Whisky Association
“Looking ahead, the Scotch whisky industry will continue to work in partnership with the government and the voluntary sector to promote responsible drinking and to tackle alcohol-related harm.
“We will now 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, and to argue for fair competition on our behalf.
“This is vital in order that the jobs and investment the industry provides in Scotland are not damaged. At home, we hope to see an objective assessment of the impact of MUP.”
“This is a historic and far-reaching judgement and a landmark moment in our ambition to turn around Scotland’s troubled relationship with alcohol.
“In a ruling of global significance, the UK Supreme Court has unanimously backed our pioneering and life-saving alcohol pricing policy.
“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families.”
Shona Robison MSP Scottish health secretary
Paul Waterson Scottish Licensed Trade Association
“My association has been arguing for price controls on alcohol since retail price maintenance on alcohol was abolished in the late 1960s. So today is the end of a long journey for us. Needless to say we are delighted that this positive decision has finally been reached.
“Alcohol consumption in the UK has more than doubled over the last 40 years. As consumption has increased, so has alcohol-related harm. The consequences of this abuse affects all of us, and costs society more than £2 billion a year.
“The relationship between low prices and increased consumption is obvious. Supermarkets’ strategy of using alcohol as a loss leader, very often charging prices cheaper than water, which is totally irresponsible, is a major factor in causing much of the alcohol abuse we see in Scotland today.
“Minimum pricing will be a major element in eradicating these problems.”
“C&C Group has been a strong and vocal supporter of minimum unit pricing since it was first proposed in 2011. We welcome today’s landmark decision. It is the right move to make: a progressive step forward in tackling the problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland and we congratulate the Scottish government on its perseverance.
“Although the majority of Scots enjoy alcohol responsibly, we are concerned about the availability of strong, cheap alcohol and its correlation with harmful drinking that causes misery across Scotland. As part of a package of measures, minimum unit pricing will help to address this.
“Now that the Supreme Court have made their ruling, we urge the industry to get behind the decision. We’ll be working with the Scottish government and our customers over the coming months to support the successful introduction of minimum unit pricing. Moreover, we also hope similar legislation can be realised across other territories we operate in, including Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Paul Bartlett C&C Group
Miles Beale Wine & Spirits Trade Association
“We accept the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on minimum unit pricing in Scotland. The WSTA remains committed to working with the Scottish government – and all UK governments – on policies that have already proved effective, like partnership solutions that are locally targeted, promote alcohol education and better enforce existing regulations.
“We look to the Scottish government to provide clarity to businesses on how minimum unit pricing will be implemented and to give them sufficient time to do so as efficiently as possible. Equally, MUP’s impact on businesses and on all consumers must be rigorously and objectively monitored and evaluated over time.”
“It’s no surprise the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by the Scottish Whisky Association. The tobacco companies couldn’t stop plain packaging and it will be difficult for any entity to challenge laws aimed at improving the health of consumers. Minimum alcohol pricing is just one of a number of measures the Scottish government is looking at to improve the health of people in Scotland. It recently confirmed it intends to restrict price promotions on food high in sugar, salt or fat so the Supreme Court dismissing the appeal coincides with the Scottish government’s own action on health quite nicely. Only time will tell whether the new law will reduce the 12% of binge drinkers in Scotland, which is the intention.”
Mark Jones Law firm Gordon’s
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