Booze price minimum 'to save lives'

Published on Monday 28 September 2009 11:08

MINIMUM pricing for alcohol would save hundreds of lives every year, a new study claimed today.

It said the policy would also cut illness and crime and benefit the economy by reducing absence from work.

The Scottish Government has faced fierce opposition to its plans to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol as part of the drive to tackle binge drinking.

Critics claim the move would penalise responsible drinkers and undermine the whisky industry while having little effect on under-age drinking or alcohol misuse.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

"It's clear that to bring about a real, lasting culture change we've got to be bolder. That's why the Scottish Government is bringing forward a radical package of measures in our Alcohol Bill."

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, said: "I've got to admit that initially I was sceptical about minimum pricing, but when you look at the facts it becomes a no-brainer."