Nicola Sturgeon to push on with alcohol price fight

NICOLA Sturgeon will today attack the sale of “deadly cheap” alcohol in Scotland as she pledges to continue the fight for minimum pricing.
The First Minister will attack the sale of 'deadly cheap' alcohol. Picture: Jonathan FauldsThe First Minister will attack the sale of 'deadly cheap' alcohol. Picture: Jonathan Faulds
The First Minister will attack the sale of 'deadly cheap' alcohol. Picture: Jonathan Faulds

The First Minister says hundreds of deaths a year could be avoided if a minimum price of 50p per unit was given a chance to bed in.

The proposals are currently caught up in European courts after a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice warned recently it could be difficult to implement over clashes with EU trade law.

But Ms Sturgeon will pledge to fight on in an address to the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh today.

“The Scottish Government continues to be absolutely committed to minimum unit pricing,” Ms Sturgeon will say.

“I will continue to make the case against the sale of deadly cheap alcohol.”

About 300 people in Scotland will be admitted to hospital as a result of alcohol misuse and ten people will die during the three days of the conference, Ms Sturgeon will tell delegates from around the world.

“Those shocking statistics demonstrate all too clearly why minimum pricing is the right measure for Scotland.”