SCOTLAND has become the first country in the UK to back minimum pricing for alcohol in a move which Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon claimed would have a significant and historic impact.
The new pricing policy is expected to come into force next April after MSPs voted by 86 to one in favour of legislation which will mean drinkers will pay at least 50p per unit of alcohol.
However, some parts of the alcohol industry may challenge the policy in the European courts.
Labour MSPs abstained in the vote after the party failed in a last-ditch attempt to claw back extra profits made by supermarkets and the SNP's Roseanna Cunningham, the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, mistakenly pressed the wrong button and voted against the bill.
Ms Sturgeon hailed the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill as a "landmark moment in Scotland's fight against alcohol misuse".
Research by Sheffield University claims the minimum price at 50p will mean 60 fewer deaths, 1600 fewer hospital admissions and 3500 fewer crimes in its first year. After 10 years there could be 300 fewer deaths annually, 6500 fewer hospital admissions and overall savings of £942 million.
Cheaper products and super-strength lagers will increase in cost.
The Government says the 50p price will take the cost of a 70cl bottle of 37.5% vodka to no less than £13.13, four 440ml cans of 9% lager will increase to a minimum of £7.92 and a 75cl bottle of 12.5% wine could be sold for no less than £4.69.
Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, branded the policy "misguided" and said minimum pricing had "consistently been found to be illegal in Europe".
Labour said the Scottish Government had "thrown away an opportunity for the whole Parliament to be united in support" by refusing to support its bid to claw back the £125m windfall the law will mean for retailers.
After discovering she had voted against the legislation, Ms Cunningham tweeted: "Oooops! Discovered that I accidentally voted the wrong way on the minimum pricing bill."
Cabinet secretaries usually celebrate with staff in the Holyrood bar after a bill is passed but Ms Sturgeon said her staff would be celebrating with chocolate.
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