News
IAS supports Scottish Government in Europe
The IAS has written to the European Commission to express
its support for the Scottish Government's Minimum Pricing Act, to
introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol (MUP).
The Institute argues that the Act is a proportionate
response to a public health need in Scotland and that there is a "wealth
of scientific evidence" to show that alcohol price increases are an
effective legislative tool for policymakers.
The Minimum Pricing Act - passed earlier this year - is
subject to a legal challenge from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA),
on the grounds that it constitutes a breach of European Union trade law.
However, IAS highlights that MUP will be applied indiscriminately to
both domestic and imported alcohol products so will not penalise
European imports. Indeed, the majority of cheap drink that will be most
affected by MUP is domestically produced, such as white cider.
Unlike duty increases, which can be absorbed by retailers,
MUP will set a floor price at which alcohol can be sold. In doing so it
will target the cheapest alcohol that causes the most harm.
Research by the University of Sheffield predicts MUP set
at 50p will lead to the prevention of more than 300 alcohol-related
deaths and 500 violent crimes in Scotland each year.
Read a copy of the IAS letter to the European Commission here. (pdf 118kb)