Judges at the Supreme Court in London put an end to a five-year battle by trade bosses to halt plans to charge at least 50p per unit of booze.

HEALTH chiefs yesterday hailed a landmark ruling that finally allows the Scottish Government to set a minimum price for alcohol.

Judges at the Supreme Court in London put an end to a five-year battle by trade bosses to halt plans to charge at least 50p per unit of booze.

3 Frosty Jack’s will soar by almost £8 per bottle

It means cheap supermarket deals on plonk and beer could be banned by early next year — with super-strength cider and own-brand spirits likely to see the biggest price hikes.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said the legislation from 2012 will now be pushed through “as soon as possible”.

And experts claimed the change will avoid hundreds of deaths in the coming years and save the NHS a fortune.

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Ms Robison said: “This is a historic judgment and a landmark moment in our ambition to turn round Scotland’s troub- led relationship with alcohol.

“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high-strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “absolutely delighted” with the unanimous decision of the judges.

She added: “It’s been a long road but this is a bold and necessary move to improve public health.”

Absolutely delighted that minimum pricing has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This has been a long road – and no doubt the policy will continue to have its critics – but it is a bold and necessary move to improve public health. — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 15, 2017

And British Medical Association Scotland chair Dr Peter Bennie said: “Every day doctors see the severe harm caused by alcohol misuse and the damage it causes to individuals and their families.

“Minimum unit pricing can make a significant contribution to reducing this harm and saving lives.”

It’s estimated alcohol misuse costs Scotland £3.6billion a year — £900 per adult.

Booze was blamed for 670 hospital admissions a week last year — as related deaths soared by 10 per cent to 1,265.

The rate of fatalities is now almost 1.5 times higher than in the early 1980s.

But research by has suggested a 50p minimum price could result in 121 fewer deaths a year after 20 years, while hospital admissions could fall by more than 2,000 a year over the same period.

Cost of popular drinks in Scotland after minimum pricing Blended Scotch Whisky – up by £2.75 to £14

Glen’s Vodka – up 65p to £13.15

Frosty Jack’s – up £7.76 to £11.25

Buckfast – unchanged, £7.99

Red wine – up 96p to £4.15

20 cans of Tennent’s lager – up £5 to £18

Prosecco – unchanged, £6

Alison Douglas, chief exec of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said minimum pricing was the “biggest public health breakthrough” since the smoking ban. And he accused the Scotch Whisky Association of “obstructing” the process to protect members’ profits.

She said: “Minimum unit pricing is effective because it targets the kind of drinking most likely to lead to the greatest harm.”

Cancer Research UK expert Linda Bauld, said: “Alcohol is linked to seven types of cancer including breast and bowel cancer. The more you drink the greater your risk of cancer.

“A wealth of evidence shows minimum-unit pricing will save lives in Scotland. It will also save the NHS money.”

And Judi Rhys, head of the British Liver Trust, said she hoped Scotland would lead the charge which will result in minimum pricing being adopted across the UK.

Ms Rhys added: “This ruling will impact the most harmful drinkers as MUP affects the cheapest booze and the heaviest drinkers.”

Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie called on the Government to act “without delay” and introduce the regulation before Christmas “before any more lives are wrecked”.

Supreme Court judges rejected arguments from the SWA that the legislation was against EU law and would harm the industry’s overseas competitiveness.

They said the measure was a “proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”.

The SWA previously had its legal bid and an appeal thrown out by the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

The case was also examined by the European Court of Justice before it was taken to the top court in the UK.

Ms Robison confirmed she will set out her next steps and timescale “shortly” in a statement to Holyrood.

Alamy Live News 3 Health secretary Shona Robison will announce details soon

Labour’s public health spokesman Colin Smyth warned the move is not a “silver bullet” to cure problem drinking and called for more funding for support services.

Tory shadow health secretary Miles Briggs also insisted the legislation must be used “in conjunction with a range of different measures” to reduce alcohol misuse.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy at the Scottish Retail Consortium, called on ministers to consider a “fair timeframe” of at least six months to allow businesses to prepare.

He added: “The priority now is for the Scottish Government to provide clarity on how the scheme will work here.”

SWA chief executive Karen Betts said the industry body accepted the court’s decision and promised to work with the Government to promote responsible drinking.

She added: “We’ll now look to the Scottish and UK governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against Scotch whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing, and to argue for fair competition on our behalf.

“This is vital in order that the jobs and investment the industry provides in Scotland are not damaged.

“At home, we hope to see an objective assessment of the impact of MUP.”

Getty - Contributor 3 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the decision

Tom Stainer, of the Campaign for Real Ale, claimed minimum pricing would penalise “moderate and responsible drinkers” while doing “nothing” to support those with alcohol issues.

Kenny Alexander, of campaign group Drinkers’ Voice, added: “It won’t be the ideologically driven, Rioja-drinking medics and academics who’ve campaigned for this measure that will feel the pinch but the average man and women who enjoys the simple pleasure of a drink at a price they can afford.”

But Green MSP Alison Johnstone said drinks firms who stalled the move should be “ashamed of themselves”.

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She added: “Health charities and doctors have expressed support for minimum pricing as part of efforts to reduce the damage alcohol can cause.

“Now the Scottish Government must implement this urgent public health priority.”

christine.lavelle@the-sun.co.uk