Minimum price for alcohol will be 45p says Sturgeon

Published on Monday 30 August 2010 17:37

HEALTH Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today announced the Scottish Government's proposed minimum price for alcohol would be 45p per unit.

And she claimed the health benefits achieved by such a figure were in some cases almost twice those predicted for the 40p per unit price which the government has quoted as an illustration in the debate on the issue up until now.

Ms Sturgeon said minimum pricing would save lives, save money and save future generations from the harm and misery caused by alcohol misuse.

The introduction of a 45p per unit minimum would mean the price of a three-litre bottle of Tesco strong cider would go up from 2.90 to 7.43, but the minimum cost for 12 cans of Magners cider would be 10.59, which is below the current 12.60 price.

Four cans of strong lager would go up from 4.96 to 6.81, but 18 cans of Guinness, currently costing 16, would be unaffected with a minimum price of 14.67.

Ms Sturgeon said the health and social benefits of the 45p minimum price would include 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm within the first year. It would also cut hospital admissions by 1200 in a year, compared with 600 if the price was 40p. Health care costs would be reduced by 5.5 million compared with 2.8m.

The 45p minimum would mean 22,900 fewer days absence from work, instead of 11,800. Violent crimes would be cut by 400 instead of 200 and other crimes by 1300 instead of 700.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It is no coincidence that as the affordability of alcohol has plummeted, alcohol-related deaths, disease, crime and disorder have spiralled. It cannot be right that a man can exceed his weekly recommended alcohol limit for less than 3.50."

The Scottish Government will table an amendment to the Alcohol Bill, which is about to start its second stage at Holyrood, to introduce the 45p price. But the other main parties at Holyrood have made clear their opposition to the policy, which means there is little chance of the proposals being approved.