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SNP Consider Minimum Price For Alcohol Units, Nicola Sturgeon Claims 'Overwhelming' Support

Alcohol Price

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 01/11/11 10:26 GMT Updated: 01/11/11 10:26 GMT

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SNP ministers are looking at introducing a minimum price for alcohol units, after similar plans were rejected by MSPs during the previous Scottish government.

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said there was "overwhelming" support for minimum pricing.

"Everyone is well aware that Scotland has an alcohol problem, with Scots drinking more than any other part of the UK - estimated to cost £3.56 billion each year. That's £900 for every adult."

In Scotland alcohol sales are 23% higher than England and Wales and alcohol is estimated to cost £52m a year.

Sturgeon is expected to detail the plan during a visit to Glasgow's Gartnavel Royal Hospital.

The SNP's previous plans proposed a price of 45p per unit of alcohol but Sturgeon told the Scotsman she wanted to get it "right" this time.

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SNP ministers are looking at introducing a minimum price for alcohol units, after similar plans were rejected by MSPs during the previous Scottish government. Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturg...
SNP ministers are looking at introducing a minimum price for alcohol units, after similar plans were rejected by MSPs during the previous Scottish government. Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturg...
 
 
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lastpost
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01:21 PM on 11/01/2011
"an alcohol problem"
Is the problem, health concerns caused by consumption? Or collateral damage related to the behaviour of violent inebriants? If the former, why not water it down. That way the bladder will give up before the brain does. If the latter, require those involved in incidents to sit in a police station waiting room for one evening. When they might otherwise be out on the town. Followed by seven evenings of the same, for a second offence. Then seven weeks of evenings for a third offence, and so on. Even if it doesn’t prove corrective, at least they will be off the streets.
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Lawyer13
retired Lawyer, General and Psychiatric Nurse, wit
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01:00 PM on 11/01/2011
I very much doubt that unless the price per unit was placed at above £1.00 it would have any effect on our friends North of the Boarder.
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west lothian questioner
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08:35 PM on 11/01/2011
The World Hrealth Organisation suggests otherwise.
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Sickofpoliticians2
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12:10 PM on 11/01/2011
So there'll be booze trips south of the border for cheaper units then, bit like how we used to cross the channel for our cheap booze or will our shower of political imbeciles impose similar here, closing even more pubs or simply making them the haunts of the well heeled. No-one in Scotland, especially the hard drinking buckfast babes will consume less, there'll just be less food going on the table for kids already suffering poverty while their caring parents drink just the same, more nanny state mentality from those who think they know best.
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west lothian questioner
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08:34 PM on 11/01/2011
With the price of petrol at its present level, the profit in running cheap anglo-bevvy from anywhere more than about 30 miles from the border just wont be realistic.

Evidence from the World Health Organisation suggests that minimum pricing does lead to reduction in consumption.

The SNP were voted into power with the minimum pricing policy included in their manifesto, so clams of nanny-states don't really wash. It was on offer... we voted for it. The state is doing what the people voted for.
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