Finland backs Scots in minimum pricing court case

The Scottish government is to receive support from Finland in a contentious court case over minimum pricing for alcohol.

Finnish officials are set to support the Scottish government’s proposals to introduce minimum unit pricing 

According to reports from BBC Scotland, Finnish officials are due to present papers to the European Court of Luxembourg this week that back the Scottish government in a case being brought forward by Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

“Finland has decided to back Scotland in this court case,” said Ismo Tuominen, head of alcohol policy at the Finnish ministry of health. “This is a question of principle.

“If a nation wants to have its own decisions concerning public health and concerning alcohol policy, we are at the same side of that nation.

“The Scottish government has been very active with all member states in the European Union. The Finnish remarks will be published at the end of this week.”

In 2012, the Scottish Parliament brought in legislation for a minimum unit price of 50p in the country to combat the nation’s “unhealthy” relationship with alcohol and reduce alcohol-related deaths.

However, the SWA along with other European wine and spirits producers launched a legal challenge against the Scottish government’s plans, citing the legislation breached European law and that the policy would be “ineffective” at tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland, rather penalising responsible drinkers and the drinks industry itself.

The SWA’s legal plight was rejected by Judge Lord Doherty at the Court of Session in Edinburgh last year, but following an appeal hearing judges referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Last month, The Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) headed to Brussels to “make the case for health” at a seminar in the city.