Daft drinks law
Apparently a mere 30 per cent of drinkers account for 80 per cent of consumption, while the Scottish Government’s own research admits that MUP will not decrease the number of harmful and dangerous drinkers.
If the practice breaches European Union trade laws as claimed – and Bulgaria has already raised an objection with the European Court – there can’t be any point in going further.
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Hide AdEven if a way is found round that barrier, Scotland would surely face retaliatory action from others, in which respect it should be noted that whisky represents 80 per cent of our food and drink exports.
These practicalities apart, it is not a valid function of government to set retail prices. Formal price control should be exercised through tax levels alone, as is the case with tobacco products.
Robert Dow
Ormiston Road
Tranent, East Lothian