MSP proposes Borders minimum drinks price pilot
A south of Scotland MSP has suggested the Borders could pilot plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol.
The Scottish government unveiled proposals this week as part of its efforts to reduce consumption.
SNP MSP Christine Grahame said the 45p per unit plan could be tried out in order to "test its effectiveness".
She said the Borders had seen the number of deaths related to alcohol rise in recent years and a pilot could "highlight the benefits" of the plan.
Ms Grahame said SNP councillors in the region would now put forward a motion to Scottish Borders Council seeking its support for her suggestion.
"I have written to the leader of SBC to ask his support and I have the support of the Scottish government to support a pilot across the region," she said.
"The Scottish Borders has in recent years seen a disproportionately higher number of deaths related to alcohol consumption than other parts of Scotland.
"I believe it would be a good place to measure the effectiveness of this scheme and highlight the benefits it could bring to other parts of country."
The Scottish government has said the plan would have significant health benefits but opponents believe it would hit responsible drinkers.