N. Ireland could implement minimum pricing

The Scottish Health Secretary has announced a new bill to set minimum pricing for units of alcohol in Scotland, which is also being considered in Northern Ireland.

An exact price per unit of alcohol is expected early next year, and may have changed from the previous price suggested of 45p. The plans are supported by a range of medical professionals, but opposed by the alcohol industry, which fears other countries may follow suit.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “ Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing us as a nation and we need to take action to tackle it.

“By setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, we can raise the price of the cheap supermarket white ciders, lager and value spirits sought out by problem drinkers.”

Northern Ireland is also considering implementing minimum pricing for alcohol to tackle social costs such as hospital care and crime prevention.

Public health committee chairman Dr Vinod Tohani said: “Alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland costs our economy almost £700m. There are direct costs to hospital services and the criminal justice service, compounded by indirect costs such as loss of productivity and the impact on family and social networks.

“Increasing the price of alcohol in particular will have a twofold effect. Not only is there likely to be an effect at a population level, but there is evidence that heavy drinkers and young drinkers are responsive to price.

“Studies have also found that price increases have the effect of reducing rates of alcohol problems including alcohol-related violence and crime deaths from liver cirrhosis and drink driving deaths”.

Dr Paul Darragh, chairman of the BMA’s Council in Northern Ireland added: “A range of substantive measures are needed to reduce alcohol misuse, not least a realistic minimum price per unit of alcohol.

“Doctors, who see the realities of alcohol misuse every day, believe that the Scottish government is taking a decisive step forward to safeguard the health of the population.

“We are also heartened that local health Minister Edwin Poots has said that the Northern Ireland Executive is determined to introduce new legislation locally to raise the minimum price per unit of alcohol.”

However, there is still much opposition to the proposals, with some arguing that it will contravene free trade legislation, and would have to be tested in court. Others suggest that a wider approach is needed to tackle such a large scale problem.

James McLean, convenor of the Law Society's competition law committee, told the Guardian: “Compatibility with EU duty directives requires to be considered, as well as issues concerning the free movement of goods in terms of the EU treaties.

“The court has rejected minimum pricing in the past but has not previously had the opportunity to review proposals related to commissioned academic research.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson said: “The SNP think minimum unit pricing is some sort of magical silver bullet, but unfortunately no one measure is going to tackle Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

“If the SNP Government is serious about tackling alcohol abuse, it should drop its dogmatic approach, broaden its bill so a range of other proposals can be included.”