Minimum pricing for alcohol comes into force in Scotland

Scotland has from today implemented minimum unit pricing for alcohol, with legislation coming into force that sets a minimum 50 pence per unit price.

The Supreme Court had cleared the way

for the move, after it ruled in November 2017 that The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 did not breach EU law and was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

This brought to an end a long-running legal battle over the proposals.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am extremely proud that the eyes of the world will once again be on Scotland with the introduction of this legislation.

“Our action is bold and it is brave, and shows once again that we are leading the way in introducing innovative solutions to public health challenges.”

Sturgeon added: “It’s no secret that Scotland has a troubled relationship with alcohol. There are, on average, 22 alcohol-specific deaths every week in Scotland, and 697 hospital admissions and behind every one of these statistics is a person, a family, and a community badly affected by alcohol misuse.

“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum unit pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “As a nation we drink 40% more than the low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units per week for men and women. Prior to the implementation of minimum unit pricing, those 14 units could be bought for just £2.52. This is absolutely unacceptable.

“That is where this new legislation comes in, and I am confident that over the first five years of its operation, minimum unit pricing will reduce the number of alcohol-specific deaths by hundreds, and hospital admissions by thousands.”