Any Dumbarton and Vale residents picking up alcohol as part of their shopping baskets could spot a big change to prices this week, as Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) comes into force.

After years of debate, the legal enforcement of a minimum price per unit for all alcohol drinks is underway.

Effective from May 1, with a minimum price per alcohol unit set at 50p, the legislation currently affects just supermarkets and off-licenses in Scotland.

The price difference will mainly hit alcoholic drinks that have high alcohol content but have previously been cheap to buy, such as value spirits and ciders.

The move is a measure taken by the Scottish Government to try and tackle drinking problems in the country, with the thinking that making these drinks less affordable can help to reduce alcohol consumption and related harm.

In Dumbarton and the Vale, there has been a mixed reaction to the change.

Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA) has praised MUP, with chief executive Mags Mackenzie claiming they are “delighted” with its introduction.

“Alcohol consumption and deaths are significantly higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK – Scots drink 17 per cent more than the English/Welsh and the alcohol-related death rates are twice the level of England and Wales,” she said.

“Scotland will be the first country in the world to introduce MUP and the Scottish Government has faced a real battle to get here with legal challenges from the drinks industry in the European and Scottish courts.

“In the last six years, whilst this legislation has been held up in the appeal courts, there have been almost 6,000 drink-related deaths in Scotland. In West Dunbartonshire alone, over 130 people have died.”

“Every day at DACA we see the toll that excessive drinking has on so many individuals and families in our communities. We welcome any measures which help tackle Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol.”

Ms Mackenzie claims that before MUP, some alcohol was being sold for as little as 18p a unit – just over £2.50 for 18 units. And she has called for a “culture change” surrounding the country’s drinking habits.

She added: “Having sensible pricing levels for alcohol will hopefully help drive this change.”

However, others have aired doubts as to the effectiveness of MUP in the fight against heavy drinking and the its associated problems.

Retailer Charlie Sohail, who runs general store S & J Brothers (Pace Convenience Store) at Hillview Place in Alexandria, says he believes customers will simply reach for other types of alcoholic drinks instead, and claims the government is “shifting the problem”.

“It’s going to affect the sales of the high-volume ciders, but people will just move onto something else,” he said.

“The government should not be turning it into a nanny state.

“It thinks that taxing seems to be the way to help people.

“All they are doing is shifting the problem. Why don’t they help them instead of just taxing? No way is that going to solve the problem.

“They will just buy something else. We will have to wait and see.”

In Charlie’s shop, a three-litre bottle of Frosty Jack’s white cider, which is 22.5 units and has an alcohol content level of 7.5 per cent, had cost £4.25.

But with the 50p minimum price per unit legislation now in place, he says it now sells in his store for £11.25.

He said: “Nobody’s going to buy it. They are going to buy something else. You can buy a bottle of vodka for £14.

“What concerns me as a retailer is what happens with inflation? 50p fair enough, but are they going to keep raising it?”

But the Scottish Government claim MUP will save “hundreds of lives”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The introduction of minimum unit pricing is a world-leading policy, which will save hundreds of lives and lead to thousands fewer alcohol-related hospital admissions.”

Meanwhile, out on the streets of Dumbarton, members of the public also voiced mixed reactions to MUP.

“It will create fantastic business for people bringing it over the border,” commented John Buchanan, 68.

Bill Alan, 73, said: “Let’s hope it does help. It may be a good idea. It’s worth a try.”

Alan Smith, 45, added that “If people are thirsty enough, they’ll find a way. They will either pay it or find other ways, like start home-brewing it.”

And Kenny McKenzie, 34, commented: “It’s probably a good thing to try and help those with alcohol problems.

“Alcoholism is one of the biggest problems we have in Scotland.”