Boost for alcohol pricing proposals

Chief Scottish Political Correspondent

Wednesday 7 March 2012

PLANS for minimum unit alcohol pricing have received a significant boost with Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee agreeing to back them.

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ROBBIE DINWOODIE CHIEF SCOTTISH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

While the SNP's majority in the Scottish Parliament means the proposals could be forced through, the fact Labour and the Conservatives chose not to push their opposition to minimum pricing to the extent of insisting on a minority report will please Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

MSPs welcomed her pledge to specify an exact figure, which has been mooted at around 45p per unit, before the final vote.Some opposition members contented themselves with the observation: "Some members remain unconvinced by the efficacy of minimum pricing and believe a universal approach may penalise moderate drinkers and also those in lower income groups. They question whether the bill's policy aspirations of reducing the harm and social costs associated with alcohol misuse can be achieved to the extent envisaged."A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said: "The committee add their names to the list of doctors, nurses, academics, politicians and growing numbers of the general population recognising the harm alcohol is doing to our communities and the benefit minimum pricing will bring – saving live and reducing crime."

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Boost for alcohol pricing proposals

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