Minimum drink price?

Scottish consider plan to lower consumption

In the latest in the debate over alcohol pricing, the Scottish Government has announced a plan for a minimum price of 45 pence per unit. The plan, which is contained in the Scottish National Party’s alcohol bill, is an attempt to reduce alcohol consumption. The plan is yet to be agreed and opposition parties at the Scottish Parliament plan to unite to block the policy, saying it would hit responsible drinkers.

If the changes to alcohol prices come in, this would see a two-litre bottle of Tesco brand cider go from £1.32 to £3.80, while Asda whisky would rise from £9.20 to £12.60. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon maintained that costs would only rise for high-strength products sold at rock-bottom prices. According to figures from the government, the price of big-named brands would not change if they retail over £14.

Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Getting the price right is vital for minimum pricing to work – too low and it will simply be ineffective.’ She further stated that by introducing a minimum 45p per unit price, there would be 50 fewer deaths in the first year after the policy was implemented, a £5.5m reduction in health care costs and 1,200 fewer hospital admissions from alcohol-related conditions. She hopes that the plans will be accepted in Scotland: ‘Our proposals have already won backing from respected health professionals at home and abroad and I hope, for the sake of our nation’s health, they will also win the backing of the Scottish Parliament.’ The proposals have backed by the British Medical Association in Scotland, the Royal College of Physicians and Alcohol Concern.

Source: BBC News, 2 September 2010.

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