Minimum pricing will not change drink habits

The economics behind this new minimum alcohol pricing venture are misguided.

Price elasticity is indeed a fundamental principle of economics, but price elasticity differs from product to product. Addictive vices such as cigarettes and alcohol are classic examples of inelastic products, and successive governments for decades have exploited this fact when adding 50c on to a pack of fags or 15c on the pint. The whole point was that it would not reduce demand and would instead result in more revenue for the state coffers.

Perhaps if it was economists rather than healthcare professionals and politicians developing this minimum pricing scheme they would realise that it is destined to fail?