It comes more than five years after Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) passed legislation for the measure, which campaigners have since dubbed “Scotland’s biggest public health breakthrough since the ban on smoking in public places.”
Not all industry bodies share the same opinion however. While the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) favours the decision, claiming that “any measures that seek to promote healthier attitudes towards alcohol are to be welcomed,” both the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and Wine and Spirit Trade Association are wary.
ALMR chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: “Any measures that seek to promote healthier attitudes towards alcohol are to be welcomed, although we remain unconvinced that a minimum unit price will have the effect on problematic consumption the Scottish Government is seeking.
“The priority now is for the sector to work with the Scottish Government to implement the measure in a way that does not have a detrimental effect on eating and drinking out venues that are vital to Scotland’s economy.”
Leading the battle against minimum pricing, SWA chief executive Karen Betts commented: "We accept the Supreme Court's ruling on minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol in Scotland. Looking ahead, the Scotch Whisky industry will continue to work in partnership with the government and the voluntary sector to promote responsible drinking and to tackle alcohol-related harm.
"We will now look to the Scottish and UK Governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against Scotch Whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing, and to argue for fair competition on our behalf. This is vital in order that the jobs and investment the industry provides in Scotland are not damaged. At home, we hope to see an objective assessment of the impact of MUP."
Calling the decision “disappointing,” Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive, Miles Beale, added: “Minimum unit pricing is an ineffective measure which will punish the majority of responsible drinkers through higher prices, particularly those on the lowest incomes.
“If MUP is introduced in Scotland, the UK risks retaliatory action that would undermine the UK’s wine and spirit sector - which is worth £37 billion to the UK economy. It would also put at risk over two million UK jobs.
“While legal action is likely to go on for many months, the industry remains committed to making real and measurable progress to reducing alcohol related harm in Scotland through the Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership and the Public Health Responsibility Deal.”