Wednesday November 15th 2017
Local MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed the decision of the UK Supreme Court to reject an appeal against the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland.
Minimum Unit Pricing, whereby the minimum price for a single unit of alcohol would be set at 50 pence, would mean that cheap, high-strength alcohol would no longer be available at such a low price. It would however have minimal or no impact on the price of most wine or whisky, which generally already retail at a price above the proposed Minimum Unit Price already.
Commenting on the Supreme Court decision on Wednesday, Ms Grahame said:
“This legislation was passed by the Scottish Parliament some five years ago but has been held up by a legal challenge from the Scotch Whisky Association. I am delighted that the Supreme Court has now ruled that Minimum Unit Price can be implemented and does not breach EU legislation on trade.
“Minimum Unit Pricing will save lives – that is a fact. On average, alcohol misuse causes 670 hospital admissions and 24 deaths a week in Scotland.
“Scotland has long been troubled by a culture of irresponsible drinking and dealing with the problem costs every adult in Scotland £900 per year. Relative to people’s income, alcohol is now 60% more affordable to the average person that it was in 1980 and it’s been proven that affordability increases consumption.
“This is not about punishing responsible drinkers – it’s about making high strength, cheap alcohol that’s behind a lot of problem drinking less affordable.
I warmly welcome the Supreme Court’s decision and I hope now that the policy – which was passed democratically five years ago – can now become law and make a difference to our society”.
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