The Church of Scotland is throwing its weight behind the Scottish Government’s bid to set a minimum price on alcoholic drinks for the sake of the country’s health.

If approved, the Alcohol Bill would establish a minimum retail price per unit of alcohol, effectively putting an end to buy-one-get-one-free offers by retailers.

The Bill reflects concern among politicians that alcohol consumption is damaging Scotland’s health.

The Church has put together information and resources on the Bill in the face of strong opposition from MSPs across the main political parties and the Scotch Whisky Association, which is appealing to the Scottish Government to uphold a European Court in October ruling that minimum pricing is illegal.

It is urging members of congregations to write to alcohol producers and their MSPs expressing their support for minimum pricing.

“We believe that it is right to act sacrificially for the health of others,” said the Convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council. “We are willing to pay more for alcoholic drinks if it means that the nation gets healthier.”

Scotland is ranked eighth in the world for alcohol consumption per head of population, with one in three men and one in four women exceeding recommended daily limits, according to Alcohol Focus Scotland.

The pressure group estimates that drinking-related problems cost Scotland £2.25 billion per year in NHS services, social work, police and emergency services, while one in 10 admissions to Accident and Emergency in Scotland can be attributed to alcohol.

In a recent letter to the press, the group said minimum pricing was one of the most effective ways of reducing harm caused by alcohol.

It said: “Minimum pricing is not a panacea and needs to be part of a broader strategy but without effective controls on price and availability, any other policy measures will have limited effect.”

Campaign materials can be found on the Church of Scotland website at:
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/churchsociety/csnews.htm#alcohol