SNP urges support for minimum price
The Scottish National Party has called on opposition parties to vote for minimum pricing when it reaches Parliament this week.
The call comes after 160 leading figures voiced support by signing a full page ad in the Sunday Herald by the British Medical Association.
The signatories included doctors, publicans, hoteliers, psychiatrists, public health officials, police officers, celebrities and representatives from the drinks industry.
The SNP wants to set a minimum price of 45p a unit but it has already been defeated by the Scottish parliament's Health and Sport committee.
However, on Wednesday there will be the opportunity for all MSPs to have a vote on the issue for the first time.
"I firmly believe the time has come to take bold, decisive action to tackled Scotland's damaging relationship with alcohol," said health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
"Minimum pricing would save lives, reduce hospital admissions and improve the nation's health.
"There is clear evidence that as alcohol has become significantly more affordable, consumption has rocketed.
"Alcohol misuse costs the economy an estimated £3.56 million a year. Deaths from alcohol related conditions have doubled in the past 15 years and now stand at 1,500 a year.
"Scotland cannot afford — in human or economic terms — to allow this to continue. I call on MSPs to put aside political differences and grasp this opportunity to support minimum pricing. It is the right thing to do."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns added: "The medical profession realises that reducing alcohol consumption, by even modest amounts, will pay benefits in a short time.
"We would start to see the number of deaths fall almost immediately. I have been convinced by the evidence that shows minimum pricing is a quick and effective way to tackle problem drinking and save lives."
As well as minimum pricing, the Alcohol (Scotland) Bill also proposes:
• A ban on irresponsible off-sales promotions which encourage excessive drinking
• New requirements for health boards to become involved in the licensing process
• Powers to stop abuse of occasional licences
• Introducing a 'social responsibility fee' on some retailers to offset the costs of dealing with drink problems
The SNP has also proposed introducing a sunset clause to allow the parliament to assess the effectiveness of minimum pricing after five years and, if it has not proved effective, to revoke the policy.
Blanket approach
However, Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative deputy leader, said: "The SNP Government's plans for indiscriminate blanket minimum pricing of alcohol, which will hugely damage the Scotch Whisky industry.
"According to the Scotch Whisky Association, a minimum price scheme will raise the average price of a 70cl bottle of blended spirit by 87p.
"Most damagingly however, it will also send completely the wrong message to the rest of the world and weaken Scotch Whisky as an export."
