SNP urged to set booze minimum price higher
THE SNP has been urged to go further and set an even higher minimum price for alcohol.
The Health Secretary confirmed the minimum price will be set at 50p per unit stating it will save thousands of lives.
After a long-running court battle with the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scottish Government is clear to introduce the policy that will increase the cost of cheap strong cider, lagers and cut price supermarket own brand whisky and vodka.
Following a consultation, which the vast majority of respondents were in favour of a minimum price of either 50p or higher, Shona Robison said she was recommending the price be set at 50p.
It will take the cost of some cheap strong white ciders from as little as £3.50 for a three litre bottle to more than £11, but others want it set 10p higher.
Ms Robison said: “I am grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation on our proposed minimum price per unit of alcohol and I am happy to confirm that we will be moving forward with our recommendation of 50 pence.
“With alcohol on sale today in some places at just 16 pence per unit, we have to tackle the scourge of cheap, high-strength drink that causes so much damage to so many families. This move will save thousands of lives.”
The Greens and the LibDems, have said for it to be effective it should be 60p per unit.
Green MSP Alison Johnstone, said:” It’s great we’re in a position to implement minimum pricing, which health charities and doc- tors recognise will help reduce the damage that alcohol is causing to public health. But it’s a concern that Scottish Ministers are not taking inflation into account, and there’s a risk that setting a 50p-a-unit rate won’t have the necessary impact.”
While Labour said minimum pricing would provide a profits boost to big supermarkets.
Anas Sarwar, health spokesman, said: “Minimum unit pric- ing on its own will not be a silver bullet to fix the harmful relationship many have with alcohol, we must also look to tackle the root causes of that relationship.
“As it stands the implementation of minimum unit pricing is set to hand the supermarkets a multi-million pound profit windfall. We believe that money should be clawed back and reinvested in improving public health.”