SNP renews efforts to introduce minimum alcohol pricing

Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 11:59

THE Scottish Government has reintroduced its plans to enforce minimum alcohol pricing at the second attempt.

The SNP administration had been blocked by opposition parties when it tried to set a floor price per unit last year but now has a majority in the Scottish Parliament.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing us as a nation and we need to take action to tackle it.

“Here we have a second opportunity to add the missing piece in the legislative jigsaw: introducing minimum pricing. I urge my parliamentary colleagues to take it.”

Last year the price was expected to be 45p per unit but no official limit has yet been set.

The policy was widely supported by police and health professionals but opposed by some trade bodies and opposition parties. The Liberal Democrat group has changed its position and is likely to support the Government.

Ms Sturgeon continued: “We should not lose sight of what has been achieved during the last four years. We have had a wide-ranging debate on alcohol pricing and there is now widespread recognition across the country of the need to tackle pricing.

“We have introduced a ban on quantity discounts and promotions in off-sales have been restricted, but already we have seen that without minimum pricing these attempts to take action on Scotland’s alcohol problem are being undermined.

“By setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, we can raise the price of the cheap supermarket white ciders, lager and value spirits sought out by problem drinkers.

“I hope that this time around MSPs will do the right thing and back this policy that has the support of doctors, nurses, the police and growing numbers of the general population.

“I will not shirk from leading the way in addressing this challenge. It is time for Scotland to win its battle with the booze.”

Based on a 45p limit, the minimum price for a standard 700ml bottle of spirits at 37.5 per cent ABV would be £11.82.

A 500ml can of super-strength 9 per cent beer would be £2.03, while a bottle of 12.5 per cent wine would cost a minimum £4.22.

A two-litre bottle of 6 per cent cider would cost £5.40.

To calculate the total, a formula was used to multiply the suggested minimum price by the strength of alcohol and the volume of alcohol in litres.

The Government argues that alcohol-related problems cost Scotland £3.56 billion each year, equal to £900 for every adult.

Minimum pricing was rejected in a 76-49 vote at Holyrood in November last year when MSPs were debating the wider Alcohol (Scotland) Bill.

However, MSPs approved a ban on discount deals, such as two-for-one bottles of wine, and restricted “irresponsible” drinks promotions and advertising around premises.

The Bill established a requirement for age verification and paved the way for a new tax on licence holders, called a social responsibility levy. The tax aims to ensure retailers and licensed premises, such as nightclubs, contribute to the wider cost of their activities to the community.

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Comments

There are 9 comments to this article

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9

Marga

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 11:34 PM

See Guardian: Scottish ministers face legal battle over minimum pricing of alcohol Drinks industry likely to launch court action opposing bill that aims to cut dangerous levels of alcohol abuse among adults http:www.guardian.co.uksociety2011nov01scotland-ministers-minimum-pricing-alcohol

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8

Libra Personified

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 08:28 PM

My tipple would go up 7p a can from my local corner shop and drop more than that at my supermarkets.

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7

Lachie Mor

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 06:21 PM

Higher prices will deter the young and hopefully stop the rammies.. Higher prices may stop folk getting tanked up before they hit the town too.. But if you have a problem with drink the price won't stop you.. Will it ?

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6

Mario Antoinette

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 04:16 PM

I find it very difficult to argue against this. If you havent got a problem, it will affect you about as much as a hike in the price of Bread. If you have got a problem, maybe it will help.

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5

kilrenny

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 03:56 PM

£900 a year is a tax on us all even those who do not drink. that is unfair

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4

kilrenny

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 03:55 PM

if education was only what was needed why do intelligent students drink so much. my son at uni tells of some getting drunk 2 or 3 times a week. saw the news earlier. spoke to people who had struggled to get drinking under control. in their own words costlier booze would have worked. One real prob is people tanking on cheap supermarket booze before going out. this is hitting pubs in the pocket. so same people who said smoke ban would close pubs should now be supporting dearer shop prices to help pubs.

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3

ConnorMacLeod

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 02:16 PM

Lack of money (or high prices) has never stopped anyone drinking themselves to death. For the more sociable amongst us, higher prices and therefore taxes (if sales are not impacted) may help cover public spending holes and nothing more.

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2

VOTE YES

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:57 PM

"renew efforts"... hardly, it's going to be passed into law despite the Brit nat oposition benches minorty. It's worth a try.

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1

bully wee alba

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:56 PM

Where have all the comments gone on the referendum thread?

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