Scottish Court Rules That Minimum Price for Alcohol is Legal

Scotch Whisky Association challenged the proposal

A judge has ruled that Scottish government plans to set a minimum price for alcoholic drinks are legal, in a case that will be seen as a significant victory for health campaigners but will spark an appeal by the drinks industry.

Lord Doherty on Friday rejected the case brought by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), one of the UK's most powerful drinks industry bodies, which argued that Scottish ministers did not have the legal powers to fix a minimum price for all wines, beers and spirits sold inScotland.