MSP's Split On Minimum Alcohol Pricing

The Scottish Government's Health Committee has asked the Executive to specify a minimum price for alcohol per unit.

The Stage 1 report which has been scrutinising the Holyrood Alcohol Bill noted the scale of the country's alcohol abuse problem but MSPs have disagreed on whether the key measure of minimum pricing would be beneficial.

The report concludes concludes: "Some members believe that it could result in a substantial increase in revenue from alcohol sales for retailers and producers and a predicted loss of revenue from VAT and duty to HM Treasury; others profoundly disagree and point to the social responsibility levy and potential savings in health and policing expenditure as possible balancing factors.

"Some members recognise that the policy would affect some hazardous drinkers' consumption but, as many of these fall into higher income brackets, the effect would be limited and therefore disproportionate considering the wider financial impact, especially on lower income groups.

"Some members do believe that it would be effective in bringing about a significant change in the population's drinking habits, subject to knowing what the minimum price would be."

The recommendations included a legal limit on the caffeine content of alcoholic drinks meaning tonic wine Buckfast would become illegal.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon 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, earlier this week, Tesco.

"They recognise that the time for action is now. Scotland simply cannot afford to do nothing as the cost in both human and financial terms is too high."

Alcohol consumption in the UK has more than doubled since the 1950s.

The total cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland is estimated to be £3.56 billion per year. This equates to £900 per year for every adult living in Scotland.

Alcohol is now around 70% more affordable than it was in 1980 and consumption has increased by around 20% over the same period.

(GK/BMcC)