Minimum alcohol pricing goes ahead in Scotland after drinks industry loses legal battle

Scotland will become the first country in the world to set a minimum price for alcohol, after the final rejection of legal attempts by the drinks industry to block the move.

Judges at the UK’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Scotch Whisky Association, which has argued that minimum pricing breaches European law. The decision brings an end to a five year fight to establish the legality of minimum pricing and was hailed by Alcohol Focus Scotland as a “fantastic day for public …