THIS WILL SAVE LIVES
High hopes for health as minimum alcohol unit price comes into force
DOCTORS and health experts are today welcoming minimum pricing for alcohol as the pioneering law comes into force.
The new 50p floor price aims to tackle Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with drink by pushing up the cost of cheap, high-strength products.
The Scottish Government warned retailers will have no grace period to alter prices and shops will be targeted for spot checks.
A bottle of 12.5 per cent wine now cannot be sold for less than £4.69. A 70cl bottle of 37.5 per cent vodka costs at least £13.13.
Minimum pricing was delayed for a decade by opposition MSPs and a legal challenge led by the Scotch Whisky Association.
Holyrood opponents eventually changed their minds and the Supreme Court upheld the legislation last November.
Research by Sheffield University suggested the 50p price floor will save 60 lives in its first year, rising to 300 lives a year after a decade.
Dr Peter Bennie, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: “It has been a long road but I am delighted that the persistence of alcohol campaigners, with strong BMA support, has paid off and minimum pricing has finally taken effect.
“Minimum unit pricing is a policy that will help to save lives and reduce alcohol harms in Scotland.
“It will help to reduce the burden of alcohol on our health service, on society, and most importantly on individuals and their families.
“This is an important milestone for Scotland. Other parts of the world will now be watching the implementation with great interest.”
Bennie said the alcohol industry discovered it cannot expect to block policies designed to protect health.
Stirling University professor Linda Bauld, who is also Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention champion, said: “Alcohol causes 1100 cases of cancer every year in Scotland.
“The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer. “A minimum unit price is one action among many that will help reduce how much alcohol is consumed in Scotland.” The law only covers Scotland, leading to loopholes for online purchases. Guidance last month stated that supermarket meal deals where wine is included are unlikely to be affected.
Retailers are also advised that “click-and-collect” purchases won’t be covered by the law if cheap drinks are first sent from outside Scotland.
Customers can buy over the internet or by phone from a business in England. A delivery firm down south would be allowed to send drink to customers in Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, visiting a hospital ward for liver patients, said: “I am proud the eyes of the world will once again be on Scotland with the introduction of this legislation.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Scotland has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths in the UK. I hope we will see that change.”