Scottish Government 'Committed To Minimum Unit Pricing'
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to reaffirm the Scottish Government's commitment to limiting the sale of ``deadly cheap'' alcohol and introducing minimum unit pricing.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to reaffirm the Scottish Government's commitment to limiting the sale of deadly cheap'' alcohol and introducing minimum unit pricing.
The policy - which would target alcohol which causes the greatest harm - is currently subject to court proceedings. Last month, the European Court of Justice's Advocate General confirmed minimum unit pricing is not precluded by EU law and can be implemented if it is shown to be the most effective public health measure available.
The First Minister is to address the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh today, which will include more than 400 leading health researchers and campaigners from across the globe.
Speaking in advance, she said: I can confirm that the Scottish Government continues to be absolutely committed to minimum unit pricing.
I will continue to make the case against the sale of deadly cheap alcohol. During the three days of this conference, it is likely that approximately 300 people in Scotland will be admitted to hospital as a result of alcohol misuse, and that approximately 10 people will die.
Those shocking statistics demonstrate all too clearly why minimum pricing is the right measure for Scotland to reduce the harm that cheap, high-strength alcohol causes our communities.
We firmly believe that minimum pricing will reduce damaging alcohol consumption, improve health and save lives - and that it will do so more effectively than any alternative measures available to us.''
Scotland has been beset with alcohol-related problems for years, with figures showing Scots drink almost a fifth more alcohol than people in England and Wales. Alcohol misuse costs Scotland £3.6 billion each year - £900 for every adult.
Empirical evidence from Canada shows a minimum unit price of 50p is estimated to result in 60 fewer deaths in year one and over 300 fewer deaths per annum by year 10 of the policy.
There is also a fall in hospital admissions of 1,600 in year one, and 6,500 per year by year 10, and a fall in crime volumes by around 3,500 offences per year.