Unfortunately, Scotland is infamous for it's binge drinking problem, and the government seen fit to do something to combat this culture. So far attempts by the government to bring minimum alcohol pricing have succeeded, but not all have backed down from the debate.
The Scottish Government introduced the bill in 2012. This changed pricing in such a way that a drink containing 5 units of alcohol cannot cost under £2.50. This isn't a lot, but it was in hopes of discouraging deals on alcohol in supermarkets and to have an effect on those who spend whatever money they have solely on buying alcohol.
Scottish Minister's have said implementing minimum alcohol pricing was to combat an "unhealthy relationship with drink".
The Scotch Whiskey Association (SWA) argued that bringing in this law would not affect the number of hazards, crimes and deaths in Scotland. Furthermore they argue that minimum alcohol pricing would go against EU law. Recently the SWA along with the Confédération Européenne des Producteurs de Spiritueux and the Européen des Entreprises Vins have lodged an appeal to the law again, in hopes of improving it in their eyes, or getting rid of it altogether.
The UK government had thought about implementing a similar law in the past however it was not passed through due to ministers not being convinced it would do much in the way of decreases alcohol related crimes and deaths/
Will the Scottish government be forced to rethink the bill? Only time will tell.
Here is a video back from 2009 when the Scottish government were first considering enacting the new law:
No comments:
Post a Comment