Yahoo Finance Scotland can introduce minimum alcohol pricing, Supreme Court rules
Scotland can set a minimum price for alcohol, the UK’s highest court has ruled.
The decision by the Supreme Court marks the end of a five-year battle between the Scottish Parliament and opponents.
MSPs said a 50p-per-unit minimum would help tackle Scotland’s “unhealthy relationship with drink” by raising the price of cheap, high-strength alcohol.
MORE: Marks and Spencer ‘slaughtering sacred cows’ as it bids to turn round troubled brand
But the move was challenged by Scotch Whisky Association.
Now judges have ruled the legislation did not breach European law and in an unanimous decision, the seven judges said the move was a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.
Ministers are now expected to push on with plans to make Scotland the first country in the world to establish a minimum price for alcohol, possibly as early as next year.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
“This has been a long road – and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics – but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health.”
Absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This has been a long road – and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics – but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 15, 2017
The 50p-per-unit minimum outlined by the legislation would raise the price of the cheapest bottle of red wine (9.4 units of alcohol) to £4.70.
A four-pack of 500ml cans of 4% lager would cost at least £4 and a 70cl bottle of whisky could not be sold for less than £14.
MORE: Consumer squeeze and competition curb Sainsbury’s sales growth
The SWA said the legislation amounted to a restriction on trade, arguing there were better ways to tackle alcohol abuse.
NHS Scotland has previously reported that Scots are by far the nation’s biggest drinkers.
Sales in 2015 were 20% higher in Scotland than they were in England and Wales, with each adult consuming the equivalent of 477 pints of beer.
