SNP renews efforts to introduce minimum alcohol pricing

Published on 01/11/2011 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.

Related Articles

• New legal threat to SNP's alcohol crackdown

  A SECOND plank of the Scottish Government's flagship approach to tackling the country's booze culture appeared under threat last night.

• Scottish government targets binge drinking culture with radical pricing plans

  MINISTERS today announced plans to set a minimum price for alcohol in a bid to stop drink being sold for "pocket money prices".

• Ministers face legal headache over cut-price alcohol blitz

  THE Scottish Government is likely to face a major legal challenge after it launched plans to make the country the first in Europe to impose minimum pricing for alcohol.

• Raft of new booze rules but pricing bid collapses

  A RAFT of new restrictions on the sale of alcohol have been passed by the Scottish Parliament in a comprehensive shake-up of licensing laws designed to tackle the country's binge-drinking culture.