MSPs back minimum price call for alcohol

The Scottish Government is proposing to bring in a minimum price per unit for alcohol.

But with Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats all opposed to the proposal, ministers lack the parliamentary support to get the measure passed.

The move is also opposed by some in the drinks industry, with the Scotch Whisky Association claiming it would be "both illegal and ineffective".

However Dr Brian Keighley, who chairs the British Medical Association in Scotland, said the Westminster committee's report "recognises that sensible drinking starts with sensible pricing and that minimum pricing should form the central plank of any alcohol strategy".

He added: "I hope that our own MSPs will take on board the committee's findings and listen to the experts, not those who stand to profit from a watered down alcohol strategy."

He insisted "radical action" is needed to tackle alcohol misuse and he called on Holyrood`s Health Committee to take account of the Westminster report when it considers the Scottish Government's Alcohol Bill, which contains the proposal for minimum pricing.

"After listening to the evidence presented to them, members of the Westminster Health Committee have supported the introduction of minimum pricing because they are as convinced as the medical profession that it will reduce alcohol consumption, a move which could prevent almost half of all alcohol-related deaths in Scotland."

However Campbell Evans of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the MPs had "simply re-hashed restrictive blanket policies that fail to target problem drinkers, whilst penalising moderate consumers".

He said their stance is "disappointing but unsurprising", and added: "In calling for minimum pricing, the committee is seeking to introduce a measure that we believe to be both illegal and ineffective."

Mr Evans said: "The Health Committee is right to call for more efforts to tackle alcohol-related harm. However it would have been far better for the committee to examine what effective measures to tackle alcohol harm could be brought forward in partnership between government, retailers and producers."

Nationalist MP John Mason said the Westminster committee's report "drives a coach and horses through the arguments of those opposing the SNP's minimum pricing proposals".

The Glasgow East MP added: "Opposition politicians in the UK Parliament recognise minimum pricing is a practical approach to tackling our problem relationship with booze.

"Their colleagues in the Scottish Parliament must follow this lead and back the SNP's proposals.

"Just as the smoking ban did, this issue must unite the Scottish Parliament, not divide it. Scotland's public health must be above opposition for opposition's sake."

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the Westminster report had "comprehensively rubbished" claims by opponents of minimum pricing that the policy would punish moderate drinkers and was illegal.

Ms Sturgeon insisted: "Minimum pricing won't raise the price of all drinks - it targets the dirt-cheap supermarket ciders, lagers and low-grade spirits favoured by problem drinkers. By contrast, the responsibly priced products favoured by the majority will be almost completely untouched."

And she added: "European parliamentary answers have made clear that the European Commission does not object to minimum pricing for alcohol as long as it is proportionate and has clear benefits for public health."

The Health Secretary argued: "Robust, independent research has shown that minimum pricing could save lives, cut illness and crime and reduce the massive burden alcohol misuse places on public services."

And she said: "It is notable that this report holds Scotland up as an example to be emulated. It shows that we have not been afraid to be at the vanguard of public health policy before - and we can be again.

"I call on everyone who cares about Scotland's health to do the right thing and unite behind the Alcohol Bill."