Minimum alcohol pricing delayed for further evidence

Scottish courts have agreed to accept further evidence before making the final decision over whether Scotland can legally introduced a minimum price for alcohol. The inner house of the court of session met last week to consider the recent ruling of the European court of justice, and decided to hear more material. The final hearing will provisionally be June. Legislation to introduce minimum pricing was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2012, but the SWA (Scotch Whisky Association), which represents the industry, challenged it in the Scottish and European courts, saying it was an inappropriate restriction of trade and would not target the right drinkers. The European court of justice ruled that it was up to Scotland’s courts to decide whether legislation to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol was necessary to combat alcohol harm, or whether a less-restrictive method could be used.   Need for reform BMA Scotland council chair Peter Bennie said the need for the law to be implemented was as pressing as ever. ‘With the issue of minimum pricing now returned to the Scottish courts, it is welcome that an intended timetable has been established and that further evidence on the effectiveness of minimum unit pricing will be accepted for consideration,’ he said. ‘Every year of delay carries with it a human cost in lives lost and health damaged. Last year saw an increase in the volume of alcohol sales and the number of alcohol-related deaths. ‘Th...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news