Minimum alcohol price would save lives

Setting a minimum price on alcohol in Scotland would save over 60 lives a year, according to updated research from the University of Sheffield.

The study found that by raising the lowest amount to 45p per unit would mean that consumption would drop by 4.7 per cent. Alcohol-related deaths are a major problem north of the border and in 2009 the government estimated that there were nearly 3,000 deaths that were directly linked to alcohol.

It is believed that if the government raises the base price it would save the NHS £22 million a year as hospital admissions would fall by 6,600. Scottish ministers believe that the country's alcohol problems cost £3.56 billion each year.

Nicola Sturgeon, health secretary, told the health and sport committee: "Doctors, nurses, the police, academics, politicians and growing numbers of the general population have recognised the harm alcohol is doing to our communities and the benefit minimum pricing will bring."