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Minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland to start in May Minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland to start in May
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland will introduce minimum pricing for alcohol on 1 May next year, the Scottish government has announced.Scotland will introduce minimum pricing for alcohol on 1 May next year, the Scottish government has announced.
The move will raise the cost of the strongest, cheapest alcohol by setting a minimum price per unit.The move will raise the cost of the strongest, cheapest alcohol by setting a minimum price per unit.
Health Secretary Shona Robison told MSPs that she expected the price to be set at 50p-per-unit, but this will be subject to a consultation.Health Secretary Shona Robison told MSPs that she expected the price to be set at 50p-per-unit, but this will be subject to a consultation.
She said the measure was needed to tackle the "devastation" caused by cheap, high-strength alcohol.She said the measure was needed to tackle the "devastation" caused by cheap, high-strength alcohol.
The 50p-per-unit minimum would raise the price of the cheapest bottle of red wine (9.4 units of alcohol) to £4.69, while a four-pack of 500ml cans of 4% lager (8 units) would cost at least £4 and a 70cl bottle of whisky (28 units of alcohol) could not be sold for less than £14.The 50p-per-unit minimum would raise the price of the cheapest bottle of red wine (9.4 units of alcohol) to £4.69, while a four-pack of 500ml cans of 4% lager (8 units) would cost at least £4 and a 70cl bottle of whisky (28 units of alcohol) could not be sold for less than £14.
Normal strength cider (5% ABV) would cost at least £2.50 a litre but a super-strength version (7.5% ABV) would have to cost a minimum of £3.75 for a litre.Normal strength cider (5% ABV) would cost at least £2.50 a litre but a super-strength version (7.5% ABV) would have to cost a minimum of £3.75 for a litre.
Key weaponKey weapon
Minimum pricing is largely aimed at cheap lager, cider and spirits sold in supermarkets and off-licenses. Minimum pricing is largely aimed at cheap lager, cider and spirits sold in supermarkets and off-licences.
But it would leave more expensive drinks unaffected, and is unlikely to impact on sales in pubs and clubs.But it would leave more expensive drinks unaffected, and is unlikely to impact on sales in pubs and clubs.
The Scottish government views the measure as a key weapon in the battle against binge drinking, with people in Scotland said to buy 20% more alcohol on average than those in England and Wales.The Scottish government views the measure as a key weapon in the battle against binge drinking, with people in Scotland said to buy 20% more alcohol on average than those in England and Wales.
Alcohol Focus Scotland research from last year suggested that the maximum recommended weekly intake of alcohol - 14 units - could be bought for just £2.52, with super-strength cider and own-brand vodka and whisky available from as little as 18p per unit of alcohol.Alcohol Focus Scotland research from last year suggested that the maximum recommended weekly intake of alcohol - 14 units - could be bought for just £2.52, with super-strength cider and own-brand vodka and whisky available from as little as 18p per unit of alcohol.