Minimum price per unit of alcohol in Scotland to be 50p
THE SCOTTISH Government has confirmed it will set a minimum price for alcohol of 50p a unit, despite concerns from some it was too low and would considerably reduce the plan’s effectiveness.
It comes after a consultation found almost three quarters in favour of a 50p minimum unit price, although some organisations called for it to be higher. Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison insisted the policy – which is being introduced on May 1 after the Scottish Government won a legal battle – would “save thousands of lives”.
But scientists at the Royal Society of Edinburgh said setting minimum pricing at 70p would “reflect a greater degree of ambition”. Scotland will be the first country in the world to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol after Supreme Court justices dismissed a legal challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association.
Following the landmark victory, ministers asked for views on at what level minimum unit pricing (MUP) should be set.
Of the 130 organisations and individuals who responded to the consultation, just over half commented on the proposed 50p price. Of this group, 74.3 per cent supported introducing MUP at this level with 79.2 per cent of organisations and 63.6 per cent of individuals backing it.
An analysis of responses said “a minimum unit price of 50p per unit provides a proportionate response to tackling alcohol misuse, as it strikes a reasonable balance between public health and social benefits and intervention in the market”.
The report stated: “Scottish Ministers will now proceed to propose to the Scottish Parliament that a minimum price of 50p per unit is introduced from May 1, 2018.”
But the Royal Society of Edinburgh pointed out the proposed 50p minimum price had first been suggested in 2011. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said setting MUP at 50p would “impact around half of all products on the shelf ”.
And Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems said that while the 50p rate had been envisaged prior to the passing of the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act of 2012, it was “proportionate”. The health campaigners argued: “This would increase the price of the very cheapest drinks, such as ‘white cider’ and supermarket own-brand vodkas to an extent that would significantly impact the most harmful drinkers.”
This would increase the price of the very cheapest drinks. A statement by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems.