McMillan Adds His Support for Minimum Pricing During Parliamentary Debate

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has added his support to the Scottish Government's proposal of introducing a minimum price for alcohol of 45p per unit during a Scottish Parliament debate on the Scottish Government's future legislative programme.

The Scottish Government argue that introducing a minimum price of 45p per unit would have significant health and social benefits including, in the first year:

- 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm
- 1,200 fewer hospital admissions
- A £5.5 million reduction in health care costs
- 22,900 fewer days absence from work

After 10 years, benefits would increase to:

- 225 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm annually
- 4,200 fewer hospital admissions annually
- An £83 million reduction in health care costs over the 10 year period

Mr McMillan said;

"During the summer recess period I spent an evening on patrol with police officers in Kirkintilloch. One incident which reaffirmed my support for minimum pricing was when two men in their early twenties were stopped. They were in possession of two bottles of wine.

"When the officers queried why they had purchased red wine, as compared to beer, their response was startling, the men said its was a great deal.

"This highlighted to me the problem we face in Scotland regarding alcohol is that it can be purchased so cheaply.

"Therefore, I strongly welcome the announcement by the Scottish Government that a minimum price on the unit sale of alcohol will be set at 45p per unit. No longer can it be appropriate and justifiable for alcohol to be cheaper to purchase than bottled water."