Policy rejected by Westminster but backed by SNP in Scotland seen as vital to tackling medical and economic toll of drinking
A review commissioned by the government from its health advisers has concluded that ministers should introduce minimum unit pricing of alcohol to tackle the grim medical, economic and social toll of drink-related harm.
The in-depth study(pdf) has found that drink is now the biggest killer of people aged between 15 and 49 in England. It accounts for 167,000 years of lost productivity each year and is a factor in more than 200 different illnesses.
Related: Alcohol-related cancer to kill 135,000 in England by 2035 – study
Related: Scotch whisky body accused of arrogance over minimum pricing
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