Minimum alcohol pricing could be in place by May
SCOTLAND’S minimum unit price for alcohol could be in place at the start of May next year, Scotland’s Health Secretary has announced.
Shona Robison revealed the proposed 2018 implementation date for the controversial policy which was last week given the green light by Supreme Court justices.
While MSPs in the Scottish Parliament had voted through legislation for a 50p per unit minimum price for alcohol in 2012, a legal challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), who argued the policy breached European laws, delayed it being brought in.
The case went to the highest court in Scotland and the European Court of Justice before ending up at the UK Supreme Court.
As reported in later editions of last Wednesday’s Evening Times, the SWA accepted the decision, and Ms Robison confirmed to MSPs that the organisation will pay the Scottish Government’s legal costs.
Scotland will be the first country in the world to i ntroduce a minimum unit pricing for alcohol, with Ms Robison saying this could be in place in less than six months’ time.
She said: “Minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been delayed far too long. During the court cases, lives have been lost. That is why I will move to implement as soon as is practicable.”
A consultation on the regulations which will set the minimum unit price will begin in December, with ministers proposing that the order setting the minimum price will be laid before the Scottish Parliament at the start of March 2018.
Ms Robison said the order would state the Scottish Government’s in- tended implementation date of May 1 2018.
The Health Secretary said: “Next May, we take a huge step forwards in tackling one of Scotland’s enduring health harms.
“Minimum unit pricing of alcohol can help to turn the tide on alcohol harm, and the 1st of May will be a landmark moment.”
Alcohol Focus Scotland research from last year suggested that the maximum recommended weekly intake of alcohol – 14 units – could be bought for just £2.52.
Minimum pricing has been broadly welcomed by health bodies and alcohol awareness groups, who say it will target the kind of drinking that leads to the greatest harm.
There were 1,265 alcohol-related deaths in Scotland last year, an increase of 10% on 2015 - figures which Ms Robison described as “completely unacceptable”. POLICE are appealing for help to trace a Port Glasgow bouncer who has been missing for nearly a week.
Doorman John McIntyre was last seen at 1.30pm on Wednesday, November 15 in Murray Street, Paisley.
The 39-year-old dad is a wellknown Inverclyde bouncer who previously worked at Word Up and was latterly a steward at Cheers r.ba
He is described as white, 5ft 8in, of stocky build with brown hair and eyes and a beard at present.
He was last seen wearing a navy blue bubble jacket with ‘Firetrap’ on the left sleeve, light blue jeans and grey Adidas Gazelle trainers with white stripes and grey laces.
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