May 2018 date for Scotland's minimum unit pricing for alcohol
The Scottish Government's plans were given the green light by the Supreme Court last week
The Health Secretary’s announced plans to have a minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland in place by the start of May next year.
Shona Robison revealed the proposed 2018 implementation date for the controversial policy which was last week given the green light by Supreme Court justices.
While MSPs in the Scottish Parliament had voted through legislation for a 50p per unit minimum price for alcohol in 2012, a legal challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association, who argued the policy breached European laws, delayed it being brought in.
The case went to the highest court in Scotland and the European Court of Justice before ending up at the UK Supreme Court.
The SWA said on Wednesday they accepted the decision, and Ms Robison confirmed to MSPs that the organisation will pay the Scottish Government's legal costs.
Scotland will be the first country in the world to introduce a minimum unit pricing for alcohol, with Ms Robison saying this could be in place in less than six months' time.
She said: “Minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been delayed far too long. During the court cases, lives have been lost. That is why I will move to implement as soon as is practicable.”
A consultation on the regulations which will set the minimum unit price will begin in December, with ministers proposing that the order setting the minimum price will be laid before the Scottish Parliament at the start of March 2018.
Ms Robison said the order would state the Scottish Government's intended implementation date of May 1 2018.
The Health Secretary said: “Next May, we take a huge step forwards in tackling one of Scotland's enduring health harms.
“Minimum unit pricing of alcohol can help to turn the tide on alcohol harm, and the 1st of May will be a landmark moment."