Scottish Alcohol Minimum Pricing Calculator

What is minimum pricing?

A minimum price for alcohol sets the lowest price an alcoholic drink can be sold for. In Scotland, the minimum price per unit of alcohol was set at 50p.

Which drinks have been affected?

Stronger drinks that contain more units of alcohol have a higher minimum price than drinks that contain less alcohol. Drinks that have been most affected include strong white cider, own brand vodka and gin, and super strength lager.

A bottle of wine containing 10 units of alcohol has to be sold for at least £5, and a can of lager containing 2 units of alcohol has to cost at least £1.

Unlike supermarkets and off-licences, most drinks sold in pubs, clubs and restaurants already cost more than 50p per unit so there is no real difference under minimum pricing.

Minimum pricing is an effective policy because it targets the drinkers causing the most harm to themselves and society, whilst having almost no effect on moderate drinkers.

Why is minimum pricing needed?

Alcohol was much more affordable to buy now than itused to be. In fact, it was 64% more affordable in 2017 tha it was in 1980 - particularly in supermarkets and other off-sales where we now buy most of our alcohol. This increased affordability led to higher consumption and higher levels of alcohol-related health and social problems - find out more

What are the benefits of minimum pricing?

Getting rid of the cheapest, strongest alcohol will mean improved health, safer communities and lives saved.

Modelling by the University of Sheffield estimated that in the first year alone, introducing a 50p minimum unit price in Scotland would mean around:

60 fewer deaths

1,300 fewer hospital admissions

3,500 fewer crimes

In Canada, minimum pricing has resulted in a reduction in the amount people drink, with fewer alcohol-related hospital admissions and fewer deaths.

Are there are plans to increase the price?

At the moment there are no plans to increase the minimum unit price.

A consultation was held in January 2018 to gather views from people, businesses, public bodies and interested parties about the Scottish Government’s preferred price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol.

The Scottish Government have committed to reviewing the price after the second anniversary to ensure the benefits are fully realised.

Alcohol Focus Scotland's response to the Scottish Government consultation on the preferred price