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The article discusses a proposal by the Scottish government to impose a minimum price on alcohol in order to reduce the 'harmful effects of drinking'. Estimates conclude that this would save Scotland 950 million pounds over 10 years. Currently there is no concrete plan for a minimum price but the government is proposing an extra 40p per unit of alcohol.

This article describes how, in the midst of the economic downturn, hard-hit Eastern European countries are increasing taxes on cigarette and alcohol - goods with relatively inelastic demand curves - in an attempt to raise government revenue. A problem that many of these countries face is that a large proportion of alcohol and cigarettes are produced and sold without license/illegally, making it difficult for governments to collect revenue.