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Public health watchdogs have cried “shame” on liquor lobbyists’ bid to derail minimum pricing laws in Scotland with an appeal to the EU, writes Rory MacKinnon.
Scotland’s MSPs passed a Bill insisting on mandatory floor prices per unit of alcohol two years ago in an attempt to stamp out binge drinking.
Liquor companies have bitterly contested the legislation, citing EU competition rules — and this week the Scotch Whisky Association convinced senior judges to refer the case to the European Union’s Court of Justice.
Socialist Health Action Scotland’s Dave Watson told the Morning Star yesterday the Scotch Whisky Association “should be ashamed of itself”.
Top-shelf whisky would not be affected since it already costs well over the minimum rate, he said.
But several corporations whose subsidiaries were association members — such as Diageo and Bacardi — stood to lose sales on products such as alcopops and budget-brand spirits.
The Scotch Whisky Association did not respond to the Morning Star’s request for comment.
