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14/05/2012
Scotland Set Minimum Alcohol Price Of 50p Per Unit
A new minimum price for alcohol has been introduced in Scotland. Ministers have set the new minimum at 50p per unit, a move that will push a bottle of wine to £4.69 and four cans of basic lager to at least £3.52.
It marks the first time minimum pricing has been tried in the European Union.
Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that radical action was needed to tackle the significant health and social costs of alcohol abuse in Scotland.
"Cheap alcohol comes at a price and now is the time to tackle the toll that Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is taking on our society," she said.
"Too many Scots are drinking themselves to death. The problem affects people of all walks of life."
The minimum price is higher than previous proposals, which started with 35p a unit in 2008, after experts at Sheffield University warned Sturgeon that the impact of a lower cost had been reduced by inflation and lower consumption recently.
Sir Harry Burns, Scotland's chief medical officer, said: "I strongly support minimum pricing, as part of a wider framework of action, as the best chance we have of reducing Scotland's harmful levels of alcohol consumption.
"Alcohol-related disease and violence are costing the NHS millions of pounds every year and this cannot be allowed to continue."
(H)
It marks the first time minimum pricing has been tried in the European Union.
Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that radical action was needed to tackle the significant health and social costs of alcohol abuse in Scotland.
"Cheap alcohol comes at a price and now is the time to tackle the toll that Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is taking on our society," she said.
"Too many Scots are drinking themselves to death. The problem affects people of all walks of life."
The minimum price is higher than previous proposals, which started with 35p a unit in 2008, after experts at Sheffield University warned Sturgeon that the impact of a lower cost had been reduced by inflation and lower consumption recently.
Sir Harry Burns, Scotland's chief medical officer, said: "I strongly support minimum pricing, as part of a wider framework of action, as the best chance we have of reducing Scotland's harmful levels of alcohol consumption.
"Alcohol-related disease and violence are costing the NHS millions of pounds every year and this cannot be allowed to continue."
(H)
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02 March 2009
Plans To Tackle Alcohol Abuse Announced In Scotland
Plans to ban two-for-one alcohol promotions and cheap supermarket booze have been outlined by the Scottish government today, to help tackle alcohol misuse.
Plans To Tackle Alcohol Abuse Announced In Scotland
Plans to ban two-for-one alcohol promotions and cheap supermarket booze have been outlined by the Scottish government today, to help tackle alcohol misuse.
19 November 2010
Reduce The VAT On Alcohol Sold In Pubs, Says Expert
Alcoholic drinks served in pubs should be taxed at a lower level than drinks bought from shops, says an expert in this week’s British Medical Journal (BMJ). This action would deliver the health benefits associated with introducing a minimum price on alcohol, increase tax revenue for the Treasury and save pubs says Dr Nick Sheron.
Reduce The VAT On Alcohol Sold In Pubs, Says Expert
Alcoholic drinks served in pubs should be taxed at a lower level than drinks bought from shops, says an expert in this week’s British Medical Journal (BMJ). This action would deliver the health benefits associated with introducing a minimum price on alcohol, increase tax revenue for the Treasury and save pubs says Dr Nick Sheron.
15 January 2013
Minimum Alcohol Pricing Challenge Launched
A legal challenge has been launched at the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh over the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland.
Minimum Alcohol Pricing Challenge Launched
A legal challenge has been launched at the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh over the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland.
11 November 2010
Scottish Reject Minimum Pricing On Alcohol
The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland have today expressed deep disappointment over the Parliament’s rejection of minimum pricing during the final debate on the Scottish Alcohol Bill.
Scottish Reject Minimum Pricing On Alcohol
The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland have today expressed deep disappointment over the Parliament’s rejection of minimum pricing during the final debate on the Scottish Alcohol Bill.
27 May 2010
MSP's Split On Minimum Alcohol Pricing
The Scottish Government's Health Committee has asked the Executive to specify a minimum price for alcohol per unit. The Stage 1 report which has been scrutinising the Holyrood Alcohol Bill noted the scale of the country's alcohol abuse problem but MSPs have disagreed on whether the key measure of minimum pricing would be beneficial.
MSP's Split On Minimum Alcohol Pricing
The Scottish Government's Health Committee has asked the Executive to specify a minimum price for alcohol per unit. The Stage 1 report which has been scrutinising the Holyrood Alcohol Bill noted the scale of the country's alcohol abuse problem but MSPs have disagreed on whether the key measure of minimum pricing would be beneficial.
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