Improving Scotland’s Health: Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol

This is a timely and excellent proposition which, if implemented effectively, will improve the outcomes of Scottish citizens for the foreseeable future. 50 pence is a proportionate and sensible move which should reduce the consumption of low value:high alcohol content drinks which have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

It will be important in the legislation to present a method which allows for this minimum price to be increased in line with inflation or whichever other method is appropriate. Equally the legislation should aim to ensure that the price cannot be decreased either through failure to raise the price proportionately or through future events which could trigger deflation.

It would be worth looking to implement a long term-measure that takes the policy outwith political control and allows it to continue without being used as a political tool in future elections. This should allow for the 20 year effect of the policy to be realised.