15 May 2012
Scottish Government reveals preferred minimum price for alcohol
BY Pete Hayman
Image: The preferred minimum price is 50p per unit
Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has revealed the devolved government's preferred minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol, as part of renewed efforts to combat misuse.
Sturgeon said the price was equivalent to the 45p per unit first proposed in 2010 after taking into account the effect of inflation, and will deliver "significant" health and social benefits.
"Cheap alcohol comes at a price and now is the time to tackle the toll that Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is taking on our society," said Sturgeon.
"Introducing a minimum price per unit will enable us to tackle these problems, given the clear link between affordability and consumption."
The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill is now due to commence its final stage of the parliamentary process.
Details: www.scotland.gov.uk
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