MSPs urged to increase minimum unit price of alcohol in Scotland by health experts

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Dozens of health experts and charities have signed an open letter urging MSPs to vote in favour of hiking the cost of alcohol in Scotland.The Scottish Government announced last month its intention to raise the minimum unit price (MUP) of booze to 65p.The joint letter has been sent to the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee as it prepares to report to on draft regulations to renew the flagship SNP policy, which is aimed at reducing harmful drinking.MSPs must vote by the end of April to pass the regulations otherwise the policy will end.

If voted through, a 12-pack of 500ml Tennent's Lager will rise from a minimum of £12 to £15.60 and a 70cl bottle of Famous Grouse will go up to £18.20 from a £14 minimum.Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, which coordinated the letter, said: "We have been delighted to see support from such a diverse range of organisations across the whole of Scotland and beyond."This clearly demonstrates that increasing MUP is not simply a concern to those working in public health but stretches right across Scottish society – very much reflecting the nature and extent of alcohol related harm."Most of us know someone, or perhaps several people, whose lives have been blighted by their own drinking or by that of a loved one."Minimum pricing has resulted in tangible benefits to Scotland’s health and wellbeing.

Hundreds of lives have been saved, it has helped reduce the burden on our NHS through significantly reducing hospital admissions at a time of major strain for the health service - and has resulted in a reduction in health inequalities affecting some of our most vulnerable communities.”"We hope that all parties will come together to continue with and uprate minimum unit pricing