Minimum pricing: Call for policy to be monitored if it is introduced. Pic: © STV
The Scottish Government should monitor the impact of minimum pricing for alcohol if it introduces the policy, according to a leading consumer body.
Consumer Focus Scotland argued that if minimum pricing is brought in, ministers should review it to see what impact it has on moderate drinkers who are on a low income.
The organisation also urged the SNP administration to monitor any minimum price to determine its effectiveness in reducing the harm caused by alcohol.
It made the plea in a submission to MSPs on Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee, who are scrutinising Scottish Government plans to introduce a minimum price per unit for alcohol.
The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill has been met with both support and opposition from within the drinks industry.
Sarah O'Neill, director of policy at Consumer Focus Scotland, is due to appear before the committee on Tuesday.
In its submission the organisation backed the policy, despite having "some concerns that a minimum unit price for alcohol may impact disproportionately on lower income consumers".
However it said: "We nonetheless think it is worth introducing a minimum unit price in an attempt to tackle the drinking behaviour of very young drinkers and harmful drinkers."
The submission continued: "If a minimum unit price is introduced, the Scottish Government should make a commitment to reviewing how the policy impacts on the moderate drinkers living on low income, and monitoring the impact of the policy on overall levels of alcohol consumption and associated harm."
Major Dean Logan, addiction services officer with the Salvation Army is also amongst those giving evidence.
In its submission to MSPs the Salvation Army argued minimum pricing could have the greatest health benefit amongst poorer communities.
It stated: "The Salvation Army in Scotland works on a daily basis with the socially excluded and marginalised and recognises that low income and socially disadvantaged families are, in fact, disproportionately affected by problematic alcohol use.
"Approximately two thirds of all alcohol related deaths in Scotland in 2007 were amongst the most deprived communities. Also, people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are eight times more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric unit with an alcohol related disorder than people living in the least deprived areas.
"A minimum unit price would, in fact, show the greatest health benefit in this group."
The Salvation Army also backed minimum pricing, stating it supports a "starting position" of 50p per unit.
The Scottish Government has not yet revealed what the minimum level would be set at, but the previous SNP administration had proposed to fix this at 45p per unit.
That would mean the cost of a 700ml bottle of 37.5% ABV spirits would be at least £11.82, while a 500ml can of super-strength 9% beer would be £2.03.
Brewers Tennent Caledonian have backed minimum pricing, but argue if it is set too high the policy could penalise many responsible drinkers.
Managing director Steve Annand said it was "vital" the price be fixed at a "proportionate" level.
In a submission to MSPs he stated: "While we recognise that setting a price that is too low may have little effect on the issue that it seeks to address, we also urge the Scottish Government to recognise that setting a price that is too high will penalise the vast majority of responsible drinkers who enjoy the consumption of alcohol at a moderate and wholly appropriate level."
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