Concern as week’s worth of booze bought for just £2.52

Alcohol Focus charity finds drink can be bought for just 18p per unit – 32p below the suggested minimum price

A shocking new study has revealed enough alcohol to take an adult up to the recommended weekly limit can be purchased for just £2.52.

With minimum pricing legislation set to return to the courts this week, Alcohol Focus Scotland has unveiled research into just how cheaply some alcohol is being sold in Scotland.

They found that cider comes in top of the list for those hoping to snap up the maximum amount of alcohol for the cheapest price.

Researchers investigated the prices of various products – including a range of ciders, vodkas, lagers and wines – in leading supermarkets and licensed convenience stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

White Ace was found to offer the cheapest price per unit of alcohol, with a three litre bottle of the 7.5% abv cider on sale at £3.99.

This works out at just 18 pence per unit, meaning the weekly limit of 14 units can be purchased for £2.52.

Alcohol Focus Scotland previously carried out a price check in 2011 and the charity found little change in the price of the cheapest alcohol over the past five years.

Alison Douglas, the organisation’s chief executive, has been left staggered by the findings.

“It is ridiculous that a toxic, carcinogenic product which causes so much harm can be sold so cheaply,” Ms Douglas said.

“£2.52 is the price of a takeaway coffee yet this can buy the weekly recommended alcohol limit of 14 units.”

Ms Douglas insisted there can be no doubting the link between the low price of alcohol and the number of booze-related hospital admissions.

“The more affordable alcohol is, the more we drink,” she continued.

“This means more alcohol-related hospital admissions, crime and deaths.”

Ms Douglas described the Scotch Whisky Association’s continued legal challenge against minimum pricing as “disappointing”.

“A 50p minimum unit price is the most effective way to raise the price of the cheapest, strongest drinks which cause the most harm in Scotland,” she said.

“It is really disappointing that the Scotch Whisky Association’s legal action has delayed this policy for four years so far.

“This delay has undoubtedly cost lives.”