Minimum pricing: Green MSP slams failed bid by drinks lobby
The Scottish Greens have welcomed a decision by the UK Supreme Court to reject the challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association for there to be a minimum price for alcohol set in Scotland.
Green health spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP says the alcohol companies behind the failed block should be “ashamed of themselves” and called on ministers to now get on with putting the policy in place.
Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone said:
“The big drinks firms who have stalled this sensible piece of public health legislation should be ashamed of themselves. They’ve attempted to use the same tactics of the tobacco industry, but thankfully they’ve failed.
"Health charities and doctors have expressed support for minimum pricing as part of Scotland's effort to reduce the damage that alcohol can cause and now the Scottish Government must get on and implement this urgent public health priority.
“Greens were the only opposition MSPs to support minimum pricing in the 2007-11 parliament and again voted for it when it was passed in 2012.”