03/05/2013

Ruling Expected On Minimum Alcohol Pricing

A court ruling is expected over the legality of the Scottish Government's plans to introduce minimum pricing her unit of alcohol.

Ministers have said the move will help save lives, and has received support from the police and those within the medical profession.

However, when proposals were passed, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) took action against the move. It believes the plans, which will introduce a 50p per unit minimum pricing for alcohol, breach European laws.

Under the proposals, the cheapest bottle of wine would now cost £4.69 with a four-pack of lager costing a minimum of £3.52.

A judge was asked to review the legality of the law, but both sides would have the option to appeal any decision.

The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 was passed by MSPs in May last year, but the measures have not yet been introduced until after the conclusion of the challenge.

The Act is part of an effort to tackle alcohol misuse.

(JP/CD)

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