While Gordon Brown has spoked against a minimum prize on alcohol, the SNP government in Scotland has included it in their plans for reducing alcohol harm in Scotland. Originally it was ment to be brought forward as part of a combined Criminal jsutice and Licensing Bill. But after coming under pressure from opposition the minority government has decided to separate the two. This means that the changes probably will be delayed.

Besides a minmum prize, the SND government also propose to ban discount deals on alcohol and restrict the display and marketing of drink to specific areas within off-sales premises.

The scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon says to BBC that «Scotland’s alcohol misuse problem is estimated to cost our country at least £2.25bn per year in extra services and lost productivity, and professionals are agreed the threat posed to our national health from current levels of consumption is very great.»