Minimum unit pricing in Scotland will make life better for thousands of people, says charity – and calls for Westminster to step up

The Supreme Court in Scotland today (15 November) delivered its judgement that minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol is legal, a step which charity Alcohol Concern says will improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of people. Harmful drinking is the biggest avoidable cause of death for people aged 15-49 in the UK. It also costs the NHS £3.5 billion a year. The decision in Scotland comes after a long and protracted legal challenge led by the Scotch Whisky Association and follows the recent announcement by the Welsh Government on its plans to introduce minimum alcohol pricing in Wales. Alcohol Concern, along with other public health groups, have long campaigned for the measure. Alcohol Concern has recently merged with Alcohol Research UK. Dr Richard Piper, CEO of the merged charity, said: “The introduction of a minimum unit price is an important and effective step in addressing the harms caused by alcohol misuse in Scotland. Scotland and Wales will now be pursuing minimum pricing, leading the way for England to implement this important and targeted public health measure. Now is the time for Westminster to step up and save lives. “As alcohol has become more affordable, the rates of alcohol-related ill-health have risen. The fact is, something has to be done. “Crucially, this isn’t a tax on alcohol. Minimum pricing is a much more targeted measure than tax, because it raises the prices only of the very cheapest and strongest drinks on the market – those that tend ...
Source: Alcohol Research UK - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: News minimum unit pricing Source Type: news