Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said members of the Scottish parliament (MSPs) should set aside party politics and 'do the right thing' and support the introduction of a minimum price.

‘There is a large and growing body of support for minimum pricing,' she said.

'I hope MSPs will now do the right thing and back this evidence based policy that already has the support of doctors, nurses, the police and growing numbers of the general population.'

She added: 'We cannot simply sit back and do nothing. That will not reduce the horrific toll - both in financial and human terms - which alcohol takes on our nation.'

The Welsh Assembly Government has said it would go ahead with plans to introduce minimum alcohol pricing.

NICE has recommended that a minimum price per unit of alcohol should be introduced in order to curb dangerous drinking habits.

Editor's blog: Douze points from Norway to minimum alcohol pricing