|  “By setting the price at this level, it is estimated that in Scotland at least 8,600 alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths will be prevented. Minimum pricing will also reduce the toll of alcohol on the health service. “Despite efforts to encourage responsible retailing by supermarkets, they continue to sell high alcohol products such as vodka and ciders at ridiculously cheap prices to entice customers to their store. “The trend for cheap alcohol and excessive consumption has a human cost. Alcohol-related illness causes one death every three hours in Scotland and the total healthcare costs are more than £268 million. This increasing cost could cripple the NHS with a financial burden that is no longer sustainable, especially in the current financial climate. “A minimum price, as part of a wider strategy, could end Scotland’s heavy drinking culture and I am proud that Scotland’s politicians are once again leading the world on public health policy.” Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland |
 “The Scottish Government should be commended for setting the minimum price at a level that will deliver significant health benefits for the people of Scotland. A 50p minimum price could save 500 lives a year and will put an end to irresponsible practices by supermarkets where a unit of alcohol can be sold for less than 15p. Everyone needs to get behind this policy because reducing the harm caused by alcohol is in everyone’s interests.” Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland |
|  "Addressing the price at which alcohol is sold should be an integral part of any long-term strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse. The links between alcohol misuse and violence and anti-social behaviour are now clearly established and any measures that assist in combating that problem are to be welcomed. "There has been has been a shift in recent years towards the sale of higher strength alcoholic products and various drinks promotions and it would appear that there is no direct connection between the cost of those products and its alcoholic strength. "The Scottish Police Service supports the Scottish Government and legislative process to set minimum retail pricing in relation to the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off licensed premises. "We consider that directly linking the strength of a product to its retail cost by establishing a minimum price for a unit of alcohol will positively assist in addressing the problems associated with reducing excess alcohol consumption and the subsequent alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour". Assistant Chief Constable Tom Ewing of Fife Constabulary, ACPOS Liquor Licensing Lead. |
 “SHAAP welcomes the announcement of further progress towards minimum unit pricing. We first called for this in 2007 because of our concerns about the effect of cheap alcohol on Scotland’s health. The Medical and Nursing Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland were united in the view that action was needed. We need price controls that are effective in all economic circumstances, and don’t leave crucial decisions affecting health in the hands of the retailers and Minimum Unit Price achieves this.” Dr Peter Rice, Chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems |
 "The Scottish Licensed Trade Association welcomes the Scottish Government’s announcement that the minimum unit price for alcohol sold in Scotland will be 50p. The whole issue of introducing retail price controls for the sale of alcohol is a brave step by the Scottish Government and one that The SLTA supports and has campaigned for since the 1970s. The 50p per unit minimum price is an appropriate starting point which is fair and “proportionate” to help combat the low cost sales of alcohol we see around us every day which contribute to the abuse of alcohol problems within Scotland. Not only does The SLTA agree with minimum pricing, it's a view shared by licensed trade leaders from the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland." Paul Waterson , Chief Executive, The Scottish Licensed Trade Association |
|  “As Scotland’s leading brewer and a long term supporter of measures to tackle the misuse of alcohol among the minority of consumers, we welcome today’s announcement by the Scottish Government on the next stage of their proposals to introduce minimum alcohol pricing with the useful clarification that this will be set at 50p / unit. “This announcement and the recent amendment to the bill regarding a “sunset clause” confirming that minimum pricing will be dropped after 6 years if it fails to work are pragmatic steps in moving this initiative forward. “We believe passionately that responsible adults have the right to enjoy drinking alcohol sensibly. We consider that a minimum price at this level may contribute to an improvement in society, if introduced in a way that is fair, proportionate and part of an overall programme to reduce the abuse of alcohol in Scotland.” Steve Annand, Commercial Managing Director, Tennent Caledonian Breweries |
|  "The Welsh Government welcomes this news and would like to see a minimum price per unit of alcohol also introduced in Wales. While we believe that the case for the introduction of a minimum price remains strong, the power to introduce such measures in Wales currently lie with the UK Government. "We requested power to legislate on alcohol licensing but this was rejected by the UK Government. This would have enabled us to take action to introduce our own controls on licensing to tackle the availability of alcohol." Carl Sargeant, Welsh Local Government and Communities Minister. |
|  "Like Scotland, Northern Ireland has a significant problem with our drinking culture. Research commissioned by my Department estimated that social cost of alcohol misuse at up to £900 million each year in Northern Ireland, and the cost to Health and Social Services alone could be up to £250 million. While these figures are significant, they fail to bring home the impact that alcohol misuse has on individuals, children, families and communities right across our society. "I believe that the evidence is clear, accessibility and affordability have an impact on the level of alcohol misuse. In particular I am concerned by the way alcohol is sold in some of our supermarkets. Given the nature of alcohol - the harms it can cause mean it isn't just another product like bread or milk - I believe that this is irresponsible. Therefore, Northern Ireland is closely examining the potential impact of introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol, and we will continue to watch progress on this issue in Scotland very closely." Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland Health Minister |
|  "Increasingly people are recognising the harm alcohol is doing in society. We need to do much more to address the availability of alcohol. Charging a minimum price will make very cheap alcohol less attractive. This legislation will have a significant positive impact on the health of Scots." Scotland 's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns |
|  "We have consistently argued that the solution must be proportionate to the problem and should not penalise the majority of responsible drinkers. That is why we believe a minimum price for alcohol would go to the very heart of the problem." Rooney Anand, Chief Executive, Greene King PLC |
|  "There is overwhelming evidence that cheap alcohol is linked to high levels of hazardous use and related harms. The Scottish Parliament should be applauded if they approve the Bill to introduce a minimum price on alcoholic drinks. This policy has been applied Canadian jurisdictions for many years. Recent research at the Centre for Addictions Research at the University of Victoria has found clear evidence that increases in minimum price significantly reduce consumption. This policy is an essential plank of any comprehensive plan to tackle alcohol-related problems." Professor Tim Stockwell, director of the Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. |
|  "Setting a minimum price on alcohol is one of a range of measures that will help improve Scotland's issues with alcohol and violence. As well as this whole population approach we also need more specific, targeted approaches, looking at those whose alcohol consumption is harmful not just to themselves but to their community." Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan, Co-director of the Violence Reduction Unit |
|  "With every health body in the UK now backing the move on alcohol minimum pricing, as well as significant numbers of publicans, some major retailers and alcohol producers, both the Scottish and Westminster governments need to accept the evidence and introduce a minimum price on alcohol urgently before thousands more lives are affected. As long as irresponsible retailers can continue to legally sell alcohol at very low cost, communities, families and thousands of individuals will continue to suffer." Don Shenker, Chief Executive Alcohol Concern |
|  "We know from calls that harmful drinking by a parent or carer can dominate family relationships and affect children's wellbeing in every aspect of their lives. Alcohol policy needs to implement measures that will protect children from harm. This includes minimum pricing which should be supported by other policies relating to support and education." Elaine Chalmers, head of ChildLine Scotland |
|  "Making alcohol less affordable is the most effective way of reducing alcohol-related harm. The current excise duty varies for different alcoholic products (for historical reasons and under EU legislation). This means that the duty does not always relate directly to the amount of alcohol in the product. In addition, an increase in the duty levied does not necessarily translate into a price increase as retailers or producers may absorb the cost. There is extensive international and national evidence (within the published literature and from economic analyses) to justify reviewing policies on pricing to reduce the affordability of alcohol." |
|  "Breakthrough Breast Cancer strongly supports the Scottish Government's Alcohol (Scotland) Bill and hopes that the measures laid out in the Bill will help to reduce alcohol consumption and via this, future breast cancer incidence." |
|  " The British Liver Trust is heartened to see that Scotland is already moving towards the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol."
Alison Rogers Chief Executive, British Liver Trust |
| "We need to continue to show that commitment and dedication to reducing the heavy toll that alcohol problems impose on Scotland. Minimum pricing and reduced discounting are ways of reducing alcohol consumption that do not require the approval of the Westminster Parliament. For the sake of the health and social wellbeing of the people in Scotland we encourage you to support these actions." Scottish Directors of Public Health |
|  "We welcome the Scottish Government's announcement of a proposed a minimum unit price. Over the past twenty years as alcohol has grown progressively more affordable the rates of chronic illness and acute injuries, and crime and disorder stemming from its misuse have soared. Setting a minimum price has the potential to rebalance these harmful trends and begin to engender a more healthy relationship with alcohol." Professor Sir Iain Donaldson, Royal College of Physicians |
|  "The majority of members of the Youth Commission on Alcohol are supportive of the introduction of minimum price per unit of alcohol." Youth Commission on Alcohol |
|  "I support the proposal to set a minimum alcohol sales price as a targeted measure to improve public health. I am aware of the extensive evidence which illustrates the strong link between reducing alcohol consumption as a means of reducing alcohol related harm. I believe that to ignore this evidence will have adverse effects on Scotland's children, their families and communities. I believe minimum pricing to be one of the most effective ways to reduce alcohol consumption by adults and an important step in minimising the abuse and neglect suffered by children and young people as a result of parents and carers' harmful drinking." Tam Baillie, Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People |