Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the Scottish Government's planned minimum price for alcohol will be 45p per unit.

After the Government announced the controversial policy, ministers faced repeated calls to set out what the proposed minimum price per unit for drink would be.

The government says the price would have a number of significant benefits, in particular saving lives, saving money and saving future generations from the harm and misery caused by alcohol misuse.

They say that in the first year, the minimum pricing would mean 50 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm and 1,200 fewer hospital admissions and a £5.5m reduction in health care costs and 22,900 fewer days absence from work. After ten years the benefits of the move would mean 225 fewer deaths from alcohol-related harm annually, 4,200 fewer hospital admissions annually and an £83m reduction in health care costs over the ten year period.

Ms Sturgeon said: "For too long, too many Scots have been drinking themselves into an early grave. It is no coincidence that as the affordability of alcohol has plummeted in recent decades, alcohol-related deaths, disease, crime and disorder have spiralled.

"I believe it's crucial that we reintroduce realistic alcohol pricing. It cannot be right that a man can exceed his weekly recommended alcohol limit for less than 3.50 pounds. That's why we're taking decisive action, including proposals to introduce a minimum price per unit, which would bring these pocket-money prices to an end.

"Getting the price right is vital for minimum pricing to work - too low and it will simply be ineffective. After careful consideration, we believe that 45p per unit is the right price.

"Our proposals have already won backing from respected health professionals at home and abroad and I hope, for the sake of our nation's health, they will also win the backing of the Scottish Parliament."

Dr Harry Burns, Scotland's chief medical officer, added: "Scotland has an unenviable reputation when it comes to alcohol. We are, sadly, world-class when it comes to damaging our health through heavy drinking.

"But that can change. Scotland led the way in the UK when it came to banning smoking in public places and I believe we must also lead the way in introducing a minimum price for alcohol.

"Minimum pricing, as part of a package of wider measures, can help us to redress the balance when it comes to our unhealthy relationship with alcohol."

The announcement of the proposed level for minimum pricing comes two days after a specialist commission set up by the Scottish Labour Party published its findings.  The Alcohol Commission recommended a UK-wide ban on selling drink at below the "floor price" of the cost of production, plus the cost of duty and VAT.

It also urged the Scottish Government to lobby Westminster to bring in such a system.

While the plans for minimum pricing for alcohol are a key part of the Government's efforts to tackle alcohol abuse in Scotland, the minority SNP administration still lacks the necessary support to get the measure through Holyrood, with Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats united in opposition.