World health chiefs back minimum pricing
Health chiefs at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have called for the introduction of minimum pricing to reduce alcohol harm.
The move follows the coalition government's announcement last week that it planned to ban below-cost alcohol sales.
WHO formally adopted the strategy at the World Health Assembly in Geneva last week.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish government's health secretary, welcomed the move which is in line with attempts in Scotland to bring in the measure.
She said: "The support in favour of our minimum pricing policy is now overwhelming, particularly among health professionals who recognise the harm that alcohol is doing to our communities.
"But it's not just influential health organisations like the British Medical Association, WHO and the Royal Colleges who back us. Minimum pricing has also won the support of - among others - the police, children's charities, Tennents, Molson Coors and Tesco.
"They recognise that the time for action is now".
The Publican's Make it the Minimum campaign is calling for a 50p minimum price to bring an end to irresponsible off-trade deals.
