​Report prompts calls for the need of minimum alcohol pricing legislation

Scotland is now a nation of home drinkers, prompting calls from a charity that minimum pricing is desperately needed.

It comes as new figures show the country recorded its highest ever off-licence sales last year showing booze sales 20% higher than in England and Wales.

The equivalent of 41 bottles of vodka or 477 pints of beer was sold for every Scottish adult in 2015 and sales of wine reaches their highest level for 20 years.

NHS Health Scotland’s report strengthened the case for a minimum pricing policy according to Alcohol Focus Scotland as more than half of the off-sales alcohol was sold at below 50p per unit, the initial level proposed for minimum unit pricing.

The legislation to bring in a 50p per unit minimum was passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2012.

But last December the European Court of Justice ruled for the introduction of alternative tax measures as the current proposals would breach EU legislation and returned the matter for Scottish courts to decide.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: “More than half of alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences is sold at less than 50p per unit, while a fifth costs less than 40p per unit. The very cheapest products under 30p per unit are mainly vodkas and strong ciders which are favoured by young, vulnerable and harmful drinkers.

This life-saving measure has been delayed by the Scotch Whisky Association’s legal challenge

“The more affordable alcohol is, the more we drink, and this means more alcohol-related hospital admissions, crime and deaths. Politicians across the Scottish Parliament understood this evidence when they passed minimum unit pricing legislation four years ago.

“It is really disappointing that this life-saving measure has been delayed by the Scotch Whisky Association’s legal challenge. Their defence of cheap vodka and cider is somewhat at odds with the ‘iconic’ image of Scotch.

“Like the tobacco industry, the alcohol industry is placing profits before people’s health.

“With 22 Scots dying because of alcohol every single week and sales increasing, minimum pricing is desperately needed.”

Dr Mark Robinson, senior public health information manager at NHS Health Scotland said: “Higher levels of alcohol consumption result in higher levels of alcohol-related harm and these present a substantial public health and economic cost to Scotland."

Minister for public health and sport, Aileen Campbell responded saying: “We remain absolutely committed to introducing minimum unit pricing and this report adds to the wealth of evidence which supports this policy.

“We also welcome the fact that the European courts have returned this matter to the Scottish courts for a final decision.”