Minimum Pricing for Alcohol

The Alcohol Bill proposing the establishment of minimum pricing has started its progress through the Scottish Parliament. The Health Committee will examine the Bill in the first stage and has put out a call for written evidence to be submitted by 20th January 2010

What is it?

Setting a minimum price for alcohol fixes the lowest amount of money that an alcoholic drink can be sold for. Minimum pricing will stop the sale of very cheap alcohol and alcohol being sold below-cost by retailers competing for customers.

Why do we need it?

Alcohol is a product that is legally available for consumption in the UK. However, it is also a dependence-inducing, psychoactive drug that is linked to more than 60 types of disease, disability and injury. Over the past few decades alcohol has become cheaper, stronger and more available in our society, and the amount of alcohol we consume has gone up. The more we have drunk, the greater the burden of harm we have experienced – to ourselves as individuals; to our families; and to the fabric of our communities.

Support for minimum pricing

In Scotland, SHAAP, Alcohol Focus Scotland and the BMA Scotland are working together to campaign for the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol. All the evidence indicates that this will be one of the most effective and efficient ways of reducing the high toll of alcohol damage in Scotland. Support for the measure is growing across the UK and worldwide.

How you can help

You can show your support for minimum pricing by contacting your local MSP, as well as raising awareness amongst your colleagues and friends about the need to take action to tackle alcohol problems.