Minimum pricing for drinks should be introduced across Scotland, the country�s largest licensing forum has claimed.

Minimum pricing for drinks should be introduced across Scotland, the country's largest licensing forum has claimed.

The forum, made up of NHS and local government officials, the police, drinks trade and retail lobbying groups, said the promotion of public health, one of the principles underpinning the incoming licensing act, allows for a bottom price to be set for alcohol in Scotland's pubs and clubs.

The chairman of the forum will now canvass support for the proposal before lobbying the Scottish Government.

It is widely believed that European competition laws would prevent minimum pricing, with previous attempts at introducing the measure failing in Aberdeen and Perth.

But last night the Scottish Government said it was "ruling nothing in or out".

Eddie Tobin, chairman of the Glasgow Licensing Forum, said: "We've got big problems with deep discounting across Scotland and contrary to the commonly held belief, we believe the legislation can allow a sensible minimum pricing on health grounds.

"It would positively eliminate many of the drink-related disorder problems we have, but would only work in conjunction along with a package of controls for the off-trade."

According to a report by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, raising alcohol prices by 10% would save the lives of 479 men and 265 women every year.

Licensing lawyer Jack Cummins, said the incoming legislation "allowed ministers considerable latitude in relation to promotions controls".

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said international evidence showed that when the price of alcohol goes down, alcohol related problems increase. He added: "We lobbied hard for the health objective to be part of the new act and firmly believe that action around this objective is legally sound."

But Patrick Brown, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: "Our members operate on a voluntary basis the British Beer and Pub Association's Promotions Standards, which already means they don't run many of promotions that will be outlawed from 2009.

"That shows the industry is already taking seriously the issue of irresponsible promotions."