Report examines the potential contribution that a minimum price for tobacco could make towards reducing sales

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published a report which considers the potential impact of implementing a minimum price for tobacco to reduce smoking rates, similar to existing legislation on alcohol pricing. The report suggests that minimum pricing could be effective in reducing smoking rates and advises policymakers to look at combining minimum pricing alongside excise tax increases across all tobacco product categories.

In a another report conducted by PHS reviewed Scotland’s Alcohol Brief Intervention programme. Key recommendations include maintaining Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol, introducing and enforcing comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising exposure, and implementing restrictions on the availability of alcohol in retail settings.