Lives in the north of Scotland will be saved as a result of minimum alcohol pricing, local campaigners said yesterday.
Dr Tara Shivaji, consultant in public health at NHS Grampian, was among those welcoming the Supreme Court’s ruling.
She said: “I believe that this is an important public health measure and one that will save lives in the north-east of Scotland.
“In Grampian during 2016, 110 people died as a result of alcohol. This was the highest number of deaths recorded since 1979.
“For people drinking heavily, even small reductions in consumption can have big health benefits and can save lives.
“Minimum pricing will be particularly effective at reducing the amount of alcohol drunk by harmful drinkers who tend to buy cheap, strong alcohol like white cider or own brand spirits, currently sold for less than 50p a unit.”
Luan Grugeon, chief executive officer of Alcohol and Drugs Action, said: “There is a direct link between alcohol becoming more affordable and alcohol-related health harms rising.
“We therefore welcome the minimum unit pricing which makes it more expensive to buy the strong cheap drinks which we know cause most harm.”
