New legislation aimed at reducing the £2.25bn cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland, which includes the introduction of a minimum price per unit, has been unveiled by the Scottish Government.

However, the minimum pricing proposals have come under fire from the Scottish Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties over concerns the measures could violate European laws and will not do enough to tackle alcohol abuse. Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is simply inexcusable that opponents have chosen not even to listen to the evidence around minimum pricing during the Bill process.

"While we have never said minimum pricing is a 'silver bullet', all the expert opinion agrees that is can have a major impact as part of our wider package of measures. By contrast, our opponents have failed to put forward any constructive alternatives." However, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Robert Brown said: "It's now obvious that the SNP can't get minimum pricing through the Parliament. It should drop these proposals now so that we can get on with tackling the real meat of the issue, which is bringing about a complete culture change in Scotland in how people view alcohol."

Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Murdo Fraser added: "We have called previously for the Scottish Government to publish its legal advice stating whether minimum pricing of alcohol would breach EU rules. If the government is to be taken seriously on this issue then it must publish that advice without delay." The new Alcohol Bill also includes local licensing boards being given the ability to raise the off-sales purchase age to 21 years old, as well as a ban on off-sale promotions and powers to impose a "social responsibility fee" on retailers.