The Scottish Government has published its strategy for tackling alcohol abuse which is estimated to cost Scotland £2.25bn a year.

Suggested action includes a minimum price for a unit of alcohol to stop strong liquor being sold for 'pocket money prices' and imposing a legal obligation for licensing boards to consider an off-sales purchase age of 21 for their area. Bans on off-sale promotions such as cut-price offers and selling alcohol as a 'loss leader' are also featured in the framework, along with restrictions on marketing and the introduction of a Social Responsibility Fee for some retailers.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The scale of Scotland's alcohol misuse problem is shocking: 42,000 alcohol-related hospital discharges; 1,500 deaths per year; soaring rates of liver cirrhosis; the eighth highest consumption in the world and a £2.25bn annual cost in extra services and lost productivity. "Plummeting prices and aggressive promotions have led to a surge in consumption, causing and adding to health problems ranging from liver to heart diseases to diabetes, obesity, dementia and cancers.

"The time has come for serious action. It is no longer an option for anyone to simply talk about the problem of alcohol misuse but shy away from the action needed to tackle it, so I hope all Parliamentarians and others who care about Scotland's health will support the measures outlined." In addition to the new measures, the government is already investing £120m between 2008-11 to identify and treat alcohol problems. It also aims to deliver advice about sensible drinking to 150,000 people who present alcohol abuse-related symptoms to their GPs.

Dr Peter Terry, chair of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: "Alcohol misuse costs the NHS more than £1m every day and the human cost is far greater. "We strongly welcome the Scottish Government's recognition that alcohol misuse is widespread in Scotland and its commitment to lead the way is trying hard to address this issue both through short-term measures and through long-term culture change."