A proposal to increase the Minimum Unit Price of alcohol by 15
pence per unit to 65 pence is included in a new consultation on
the future of the public health policy.
Views are being sought on whether to continue the Minimum Unit
Pricing (MUP) legislation beyond the current term which ends next
April, and the level at which it should be set.
A Scottish Government report on the operation and effect of MUP
in its first five years, an Interim Business and Regulatory
Impact Assessment and a report on public attitudes to the policy
have also been published. These papers assess the success of the
measure so far and look at the future impact on health and
industry sectors if it is continued and the potential effects of
different minimum price levels.
This builds on Ministerial engagement with business and health
stakeholders which has taken place throughout the summer.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister said:
“The recent rise in alcohol-specific deaths highlights the need
for more to be done to tackle alcohol-related harm.
“Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy is one of
the measures we know can make a difference. Recent research
estimated it has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds
of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions each year - and also
contributed to reducing health inequalities. It is one of a range
of measures we have in place across prevention and treatment
services to reduce alcohol harm.
“We believe the proposals set out in this consultation strike a
reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects
on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on
consumers, but we want to hear from all sides and urge everyone
to take the time to respond.”
Background
Alcohol: Review of the minimum
unit pricing and continuation consultation
Alcohol (Minimum Pricing)
(Scotland) Act 2012: Report on the operation and effect of the
minimum pricing provisions 2018 - 2023
Interim Business and Regulatory
Impact Assessment of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) Continuation and
future pricing.
Public attitudes to
Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol in Scotland
Legislation setting the price was laid in March 2018 and approved
in Parliament in April 2018.
The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 contains a
‘sunset clause’ which sets out that the minimum pricing
provisions expire at the end of the six year period (which ends
on 30 April 2024) unless Scottish Ministers make provision to
continue the legislation by laying an Order in Parliament.
