MINIMUM pricing of alcohol is set to go ahead after it has been ruled legal by the Court of Session.

The court rejected an appeal by the Scotch Whisky Association in a victory for the Scottish Government.

It paves the way for the policy, which would see a price of 50p per unit of alcohol imposed on all sales, to be implemented after years of delay because of the legal challenge.

The Scottish Government welcomed the decision but the SWA said it could still appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

The Court of Session ruled it was legal to impose the minimum price and rejected the suggestion it was a restriction on trade and that the public health benefits could be achieved by other means.

The policy was voted through by the Scottish Parliament more than four years ago but held up by the SWA legal challenge in the courts

Aileen Campbell, public health minister said: “Minimum unit pricing is the most proportionate and effective way to reduce the harm caused by cheap, high strength alcohol.

“We have always been convinced that this policy will save the lives of many of the people who die each year from alcohol. Recently we have seen the publication of yet more statistics which show that alcohol related deaths remain unacceptably high.

“I’m proud that Scotland has led the way on this public health measure, which other countries are also interested in pursuing, and who will also be welcoming today’s court ruling.”

However the court battle that has seen it heard in Scotland, then the EU and back to the Court of Session may not be over yet.

David Frost, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

"We regret the Court of Session's ruling in favour of the Scottish Government on minimum unit pricing (MUP).

“We continue to believe that MUP is a restriction on trade and that there are more effective ways of tackling alcohol misuse.

“We will study the details of the judgement and consult our members before deciding on next steps, including any possible appeal to the UK Supreme Court.”