Leading police officer in Scotland supports minimum pricing

The chances of Scotland setting a minimum pricing policy on alcohol increased this week, after the move was supported by a leading police officer.

Chief constable David Strang, head of Lothian and Borders police, told The Times newspaper: "Drinking to excess is a huge cultural issue in Scotland. I support minimum pricing."

Strang's support has been welcomed by the SNP, which has campaigning for minimum pricing. Deputy leader of the SNP Nichola Sturgeon commented: "I believe minimum pricing is a policy that must be introduced. There is strong and growing support from experts at home and abroad as well as, increasingly, the general public."

A previous attempt by the SNP to get a minimum pricing policy in the Alcohol Bill, which would have imposed a minimum of 45p per unit, was voted down by "an unholy alliance" between Labour and Conservatives members of the Scottish Parliament.

Any move to set a minimum price is likely to be opposed by the opposition parties, which have described the idea as "indiscriminant ban" that is not based on any evidence and which would cost jobs.