On Tuesday 1st May 2018, Scotland's long running bid for minimum unit pricing (MUP) will finally come into action, preventing the sale of alcohol at less than 50 pence per unit.
The Scottish Government recently issued guidance on the implementation of MUP [pdf], outlining information and FAQs on the calculation, implementation, and enforcement of minimum pricing - also at www.minimumunitpricing.scot.
MUP will be enacted as a mandatory condition applying to all licensed premises in Scotland, with local Licensing Standards Officers (LSOs) responsible for licensing adherence, and there will be 'no period of grace allowed'. The guidance states licensed premises are likely to be contacted by LSO which may include inspection visits for which 'the LSO will expect to see clear pricing information for every alcoholic product offered for sale'.
A range of other guidance and resources have also been developed by other bodies, including information specifically for convenience store retailers [pdf] and for wholesalers, MUP calculators [xls] and other FAQ resources.
Next week will mostly likely see widespread reporting and discussion of the new law, likely to revolve around the much debated impact and predictions, and the subsequent implications for the Westminster Government and indeed other countries across the globe. A Guardian article today combines a range of opinions from drinkers, shopkeepers, public health advocates and industry spokespersons. It also reports that industry interests are privately trying to steer England's Chancellor towards increasing excise duty on low-cost, high-strength drinks 'rather than support blanket minimum pricing'. Scotland has extensive evaluation plans for MUP - only time will tell the true likely impact and indeed how other nation's respond.
See our recent post on Alcohol policy questions for the UK ahead of Scotland's MUP date for more and a recent SHAAP policy briefing on MUP.
Minimum unit pricing for alcohol is coming on 1 May 2018. It will save lives. #MUP #minimumunitpricing pic.twitter.com/fuRkFkpiHg
— Scot Gov Health (@scotgovhealth) April 20, 2018
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