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Minimum alcohol pricing is a "step in the right direction"
The police in the Borders say the announcement of a minimum price for alcohol in Scotland is a step in the right direction. But they say more needs to be done to tackle Scotland's drinking culture.
The Scottish Government want to set a minimum charge for alcohol of 50 pence per unit.
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Plans to set a minimum price of alcohol in Scotland
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has she announced that the Scottish Government wants to set a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol. They say it will save 500 lives a year.
MP Russell Brown says there are more challenges to alcohol
Russell Brown has warned the Home Secretary, Theresa May, her plans to put a minimum price on a unit of alcohol may yet be ‘laughed at’ by young drinkers. The Dumfries and Galloway MP said alcohol abuse was a big national problem but a variety of measures were needed to get to grips with it.
MSPs have voted through first stage of alcohol bill
Scotland is closer to introducing minimum pricing for alcohol after MSPs voted through first stages of bill
Read the full storyAlcohol pricing debate
The first stage of Scotland's alcohol Bill will be debated in Holyrood today.
Part of the bill is the proposal for minimum pricing for alcohol, something that has split opinion in the parliament.
Yesterday, Labour called for a ban on alcohol advertising in public places.
The restriction was one of 14 measures outlined by the party in response to legislation already backed by the Scottish Parliament.
Labour wants to secure support from other parties for its draft Bill, formally launched at Holyrood yesterday.
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Plans to tackle alcohol abuse
Split over Scotland's alcohol bill
A Holyrood committee remains split over whether a minimum unit price on alcohol will reduce consumption or the social harm related to misuse, a report has concluded.
The Health and Sport Committee's stage one report on the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) Bill has recommended that it proceeds to stage two.
The report stated: "A majority of the Committee are persuaded by the Scottish Government's assertion that the Bill will help reduce alcohol consumption in Scotland"
However, it added: "A minority of members are sceptical"
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