Scotland increase minimum unit price of alcohol to increase to 50p

A national bill to increase the minimum price of alcoholic beverages is being debated for the second time in the Scottish parliament. The Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill, proposed by the Scottish National Party, would raise the minimum price of a unit of alcohol to 50p (€0.6; $0.8), an increase of 5p of current prices.

The proposed legislation announced by Nicola Sturgeon, health secretary in Scotland, during a visit to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is aimed at curbing alcohol related morbidity and death, as well as drink fuelled crime.

Sturgeon commented, “Introducing a minimum price per unit will enable us to tackle these problems, given the clear link between affordability and consumption.’’

The bill, which was originally rejected in 2010, before the Scottish National Party became the largest party, is further supported by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.

The Labour Party in Scotland has not given its backing, claiming that