ALMOST half of Scots are in favour of the minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol, a new survey suggests.
Analysis by Public Health Scotland of the 2019 Scottish social attitudes survey found 49.8% of the 1022 people asked supported the measure, compared to 27.6% who did not.
Coming into effect in 2018, the measure meant each unit of alcohol must cost at least 50p in a bid to raise the price of high-strength drinks to tackle alcoholism north of the Border.
Another study released in June showed alcohol sales had dropped by 5% since the implementation of the policy.
Dr Karl Ferguson, the public health intelligence adviser at Public Health Scotland, said: "These findings from the Scottish social attitudes survey show the public is generally more in favour of MUP than against, and that attitudes appear to have grown more favourable over the timeframe during which the policy was implemented."
READ MORE: It seems nothing is sacred to British nationalism in the new Brexitania
Public perception of the legislation has changed from 2015 when 41.3% of 1288 people were in favour and 33.4% opposed, the figures show.
A report published alongside the findings suggested the shift in public attitude could be to do with a deeper understanding of what the policy means for individuals, or perceived negative effects that did not come to fruition.
Dr Ferguson added: "A related possible explanation is that some concerns the public may have held prior to implementation have not been observed.
"For example, MUP did not increase prices across the board in the off- and on- trades, as it only directly influences the pricing of a minority of off-trade products.
"This study is one of a number in the ongoing evaluation of MUP which develops our understanding of the wider impact of the policy's implementation."
Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick welcomed the findings.
He said: "This latest report showing increasing public support for MUP is very encouraging.
"We know that it will take longer for the impact of reduced consumption to feed through into health-related statistics but I am more convinced than ever that MUP is one of the main drivers in reducing alcohol harms."
FitzPatrick also claimed the UK Government's Internal Market Bill, which has been opposed by the Scottish Government, could undermine MUP and other public health legislation.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here