Edinburgh – Scotland’s government announced yesterday that its planned minimum price for alcohol would be set at 45p per unit, meaning a bottle of wine would cost at least £4.23 (€5.07) and a bottle of whisky £12.60.
The minority Scottish National Party administration announced last year that it intended to bring in a minimum price to curb alcohol consumption, although opposition parties have objected, meaning the plans could face a struggle to become law.
Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the government proposed a minimum price of 45p, which she argued would lead to 225 fewer deaths after a decade and a saving of £83 million in healthcare costs.
“For too long, too many Scots have been drinking themselves into an early grave,” she said.
Ms Sturgeon said that a man could exceed his recommended weekly limit for less than £3.50.
“Getting the price right is vital for minimum pricing to work – too low and it will simply be ineffective,” she said.
“After careful consideration, we believe that 45p per unit is the right price.”
The change would affect supermarket-branded alcohol more than established brands.
It would mean a crate of 4.5 per cent (alcohol by volume) lager containing 24 bottles of 330ml would cost at least £16.20.
“Scotland has an unenviable reputation when it comes to alcohol,” said Dr Harry Burns, Scotland’s chief medical officer.
“We are sadly world class when it come to damaging our health through heavy drinking.”
Source: The Irish Times, 03/09/2010
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