SNP ON TOBACCO MINIMUM PRICE RULING

SNP ON TOBACCO MINIMUM PRICE RULING

COURT ACCEPTS PRICING MAY BE NEEDED TO TACKLE PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS

SNP MSP, Health Committee and European Committee member Michael Matheson has today welcomed a ruling from the European Court which acknowledges that minimum pricing has a role in tackling public health issues – such as excessive drinking.

The Court ruling - which refers specifically to tobacco - confirms the role of minimum pricing stating that when it comes to public health;

“The Commission does not dispute that, in certain circumstances, it may be necessary to derogate from the provisions of the EC Treaty concerning free movement of goods in order to achieve that objective.”

This comes on the back of Parliamentary answer from the European Commission in August which acknowledged the role minimum pricing could play in tackling public health problems due specifically to alcohol and the legality of minimum pricing on alcohol.

The Commission’s answer to a Question from Labour MEP Catherine Stihler clearly stated that legislation does not prohibit minimum pricing so long as it is compliant with the law on free movement of goods.

"The Commission recognizes the right of Member States to pursue public health objectives and welcomes, in principle all initiatives which aim at reducing harms to public health, in particular alcohol related harm.

“Community secondary legislation, including Council Directive 92/83/EEC[1],does not prohibit Member States from setting minimum retail prices for alcoholic beverages. However, any such national measure and its effects still need to be compatible with other provisions of Community law, including the EC Treaty’s rules on the free movement of goods (Articles 28-30 EC)."

SNP MSP Michael Matheson a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health and European committees said:
“This ruling is good news for efforts to tackle the health and economic problem alcohol causes in Scotland.
“Minimum pricing is accepted by all those dealing with the impact of alcohol on our health and our community as an essential part of the package of measures we need to bring our relationship with alcohol under control.

“As organisations like the SWA well know rather than ruling out minimum pricing this court ruling actually rules it in, confirming what the Scottish Government have long argued.

“Alcohol is a licensed product and it must be treated as such, not used as a loss leader by supermarkets and drinks manufacturers.

“The Scottish Government will soon be bringing in legislation on this issue and I hope all parties have the courage to stand up for Scotland’s health and our communities, not be put down by lobbyists for cheap vodka and low cost supermarkets.”