Scotch Whisky Association urged to drop minimum pricing action

The drinks industry has been urged to drop 'ill-judged and damaging' legal action against the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol in an open letter from health organisations.

Picture: John Devlin

The Court of Session in Edinburgh last week ruled against a challenge led by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), who argued minimum unit pricing is a breach of European Law.

The SWA is considering whether to appeal the decision at the UK Supreme Court in London.

MSPs passed legislation at Holyrood in 2012 to bring in minimum pricing, which would initially be set at 50p per unit.

An open letter from Alcohol Focus Scotland, signed by 14 other organisations and individuals including the British Medical Association and Alcohol Concern, calls on the SWA to “respect the will of Parliament”.