The policy has the backing of health professionals and even some major drinks producers, but was defeated by opposition parties last time round.
Health Secretary NICOLA STURGEON today tells Evening Times readers why she believes such a move is necessary...
'Everyone by now is aware that Scotland has an alcohol problem that must be addressed. I have said time and time again that bold action is needed to tackle this nation's unhealthy relationship with drink.
The time for that action is now, and part of that action is introducing minimum pricing.
Figures published just last month show there has been a 3% increase in alcohol related deaths in Scotland.
And alcohol sales are now 23% higher in Scotland than in England and Wales, the biggest difference ever recorded during the 17 years measured since 1994.
That means every adult in Scotland is buying 2.2 more litres of pure alcohol a year than those in England.
The impact of our consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.56 billion each year.
That's £900 for every adult.
These costs are felt most by the health service and police, costs they can ill afford, using up vital resources that I'm sure most of us would rather see used in a more positive way.
We cannot simply sit back and do nothing about these shocking statistics.
That will not reduce the horrific toll – both in financial and human terms – which alcohol takes on our nation.
We should not lose sight of what has been achieved during the last four years.
We have had a wide-ranging debate on alcohol pricing and there is now widespread recognition of the need to tackle pricing.
In addition, our Alcohol Framework outlines a package of more than 40 measures to reduce drink-related harm.
We have banned quantity discounts and restricted promotions in off-sales, measures which will take effect from next month.
And we have invested a record £155 million in tackling alcohol misuse since 2008, the bulk of our funding – £134m – being invested in prevention, treatment and support services.
However all of the evidence makes it clear to me that further action is needed still.
It remains deeply disappointing to me that the Alcohol Act passed last year was not as strong as it could have been.
It has, undoubtedly, been diluted through the absence of minimum pricing.
I believe the passing of the act is an important milestone towards changing our relationship with alcohol.
But I am also clear that the journey is not over.
That is why yesterday, in our first legislative programme since re-election we fulfilled our commitment to re-introduce minimum pricing through a Minimum Pricing Bill.
Evidence shows us that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption, so addressing price is an important element of any long-term strategy to tackle alcohol misuse.
As I have made clear in the past we consider minimum pricing the most efficient and effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms.
Minimum pricing is not a magic bullet, but it is a huge step in the right direction.
By setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, we can raise the price of the dirt-cheap supermarket white ciders, lagers and low-grade spirits sought out by problem drinkers in a way which neither tinkering with alcohol duty nor adopting a "below cost" policy would do.
In contrast, products favoured by moderate drinkers will remain sensibly priced.
Minimum pricing will emphatically not raise the price of all drinks.
The support in favour of our minimum pricing policy is now overwhelming, particularly among health professionals who recognise the harm that alcohol is doing to our communities and the benefit minimum pricing will bring, saving lives and reducing crime.
But it's not just influential health organisations like the British Medical Association and the Royal Colleges who back us.
Minimum pricing has also won the support of – among others – the police, children's charities, Tennents, Molson Coors and Tesco.
Some public health issues must take precedence over party politics.
I believe tackling Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is one such issue.
I hope that this time around MSPs will do the right thing and back this policy.
There is more work to be done and we will not shirk from leading the way in addressing this challenge. It is time for Scotland to win its battle with the booze.
First minister's plans for the future
First Minister Alex Salmond has announced plans for 15 new Bills which his ministers will pilot through parliament in the coming year
These includes minimum pricing for alcohol, a single police service in place of the current eight and a single fire service and a children's rights bill, which will establish in law the responsibility of the government to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child when carrying out its functions.
A Freedom of Information Bill will be introduced to "add strength and clarity" to the existing a ct and could bring more organisations under its remit.
The Offensive Behaviour at Football bill has been introduced and will criminalise threatening or hateful behaviour among football fans.
Opposition leaders said they now accept that minimum pricing will come in, but want to see other measures used too.
Labour leader Iain Gray said he wanted the existing powers approved last year, to ban cut-price promotions and bring in a social responsibility levy to raise cash for councils, to be implemented, and also called for measures to tackle highly caffeinated alcoholic drinks and for alcohol treatment and testing orders to be considered.
Mr Gray also said Labour supported the establishment of a single police service and single fire service for Scotland.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Police Federation said they would work with the government as they develop proposals.
A bill to ensure people who can afford it make a contribution to their own legal defence bills in criminal cases will also be introduced.
Local authorities will also be able to charge an additional levy on long-term empty homes under changes to council tax under a new bill.
