minimum pricing; alcohol

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, has announced the Kirk's support for the SNP's minimum pricing proposals.

Today (Monday 25th January) Fife’s licensing board has backed proposals for minimum pricing on alcohol following a motion by the SNP’s David Mogg and seconded by Liberal Democrat William Sangster. The news comes the same day as drink giant Tennent’s also announced its support for plan.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson has today (Monday) welcomed the news that Tennent’s, one of Scotland’s leading alcohol brands, supports the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing plan.

A new study from York University shows that alcohol misuse could be costing Scottish taxpayers up to £3.56 billion per year.

An influential cross party committee of MPs looks set to recommend the UK Government follow the Scottish Government's example and impose a minimum price on alcohol, according to newspaper reports.

On January 1st 2010, Russia became the latest country to introduce a minimum pricing system for alcohol. The move was welcomed by SNP Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

Scotland's health professionals have backed SNP calls for action on alcohol in the New Year.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson welcomed comments by Alastair Campbell on his personal blog where he advances an argument that progress on tackling the problem of anti-social drinking can only be made with government action on labelling AND pricing.

The consensus behind the SNP's plans for minimum pricing on alcohol continues to grow as two former Health Ministers speak up for minimum pricing.

The SNP Government has published a Bill to help reduce the £2.25 billion cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland's public services and economy.