Scottish Courts Rule in Favour of Minimum Price for Alcohol
After more than four years of industry delay tactics, yesterday’s ruling from the Court of Session in Edinburgh has finally paved the way for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in Scotland, a policy approved by MSPs back in 2012. The decision goes against the challenge mounted by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) who claimed the Scottish government’s plans contravened European Law. The policy specifies a price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol. This means that bottles of spirits would cost a minimum of £14; a bottle of wine £4.69 and a 4x of beer £4.
Health professionals in the field of alcohol related prevention and treatment have welcomed the decision as a positive move towards tackling Scotland’s problem with alcohol misuse. The Minister of Public Health Aileen Campbell is quoted as suggesting that “today’s ruling is a landmark one, and should mark the end of the legal process, allowing this important policy to finally be brought forward.”