Scotland’s Government has claimed growing support for minimum pricing on alcohol, following submissions to the country’s Parliament.

Written submissions to the Parliament’s Health and Sports Committee were 107 in favour of a base price on drinks, compared to 27 against.

Scotland’s ruling National Party (SNP) has used the statistic to press its case for the policy, which has so far failed to gain the necessary support from opposition politicians.

Much of the support for minimum pricing has come from health professionals, although several brewers also favour the policy as a way of preventing deep discounting in the off-trade.

“While minimum pricing is not a magic bullet, it is a step in the right direction. Research suggests that, since two thirds of the cheapest alcohol is consumed by heavy drinkers, they will see the biggest difference and reduce their consumption the most,” said Scotland’s health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon.

Trade bodies oppose the policy as an attack on the majority of responsible drinkers. The policy is also opposed by the Office of Fair Trading and is thought likely to encounter legal challenges if passed by Parliament.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Stay informed for just £1! *

Subscribe to Just Drinks for unbiased coverage of the global drinks industry, offering insights into the corporate strategies of beverage manufacturers and brands worldwide.


What’s included in your subscription:
  • Unlimited access to Just Drinks content including daily global news, in-depth analysis, and interviews with C-suite executives
  • Unbeatable coverage of categories from beer, wine and spirits to soft drinks and hot beverages
  • Unrivalled drinks industry comment from leading sector specialists

Ready to stay informed? Subscribe now and gain access to exclusive content.

Subscribe

Have a subscription? Sign in

For further details on subscribing, click here. Need multi-user access? Explore our corporate subscriptions now.

*After your 1-month trial, your subscription will continue at £315 per year.