EditorialScotland’s leadership on alcohol harm reduction was at the forefront on day one of the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirming the Scottish Government will continue its efforts to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) in its resolute efforts to limit the sale of “deadly cheap alcohol”.
Delivering the keynote address to an audience of more than 400 leading health researchers and campaigners from around the world, the First Minister outlined the extent of alcohol harms in Scotland and the dire need for action.
“During the three days of this conference, it is likely that approximately 300 people in Scotland will be admitted to hospital as a result of alcohol misuse, and that approximately ten people will die.
Those shocking statistics demonstrate all too clearly why minimum pricing is the right measure for Scotland to reduce the harm that cheap, high-strength alcohol causes our communities.”
The Scottish Government’s policy on minimum unit pricing – which would target alcohol which causes the greatest harm – is currently subject to court proceedings.
Arguing that minimum unit pricing acts as a barrier to trade, the Scotch Whisky Association challenged its introduction, but the Scottish Government’s position was bolstered last month with the European Court of Justice’s Advocate General confirming that minimum unit pricing is not precluded by EU law and can be implemented if it is shown to be the most effective public health measure available.
The Scottish Government will continue to argue its case in the Court of Session when it returns there later this year.
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