Great blogs, LL
I've thought about this issue too, particularly in relation to young and under age drinking. I have no problem whatsoever with a minimum price per unit. But I think by itself it's not going to achieve as much as combining it with other related things, such as, in no particular order:
A ban, or such high taxation they are not affordable, on alcopops. These unlikely coloured mixture of sweet artificial colours and flavours which taste as bad/good as a fizzy soft drink, but with a hefty alcohol content that is not recognised by the drinkers, entices young palates into alcohol far earlier than is good for their bodies.
Combining a minimum price with some of the extra profits ploughed back to the communities, earmarked for youth work. With all those cuts coming our confused, dissolutioned and misunderstood youth need all the help they can get.
Some alcohol profit also going to research as to why so many young people think getting pissed is a great way of spending an evening. If we can understand why, we are part way there to addressing the issue where it starts. We are now in a vicious circle with these young people becoming parents with the attendant example given to their offspring...
Possibly moving offtopic, but imho still very relevant, I'd also like to see legalisation of some (actually all, but for a start, some) currently illegal drugs. We can drink ourselves into a stupor, buzz ourselves out with caffeine, smoke tobacco (if we can afford it) but we can't, legally, roll ourselves a relaxing joint after a hard day, take some mda to enhance a dance party, or even pick psilocybins with a notion to eat them. It could do wonders for tea sales
No wonder the youth use alcohol, probably one of the worst of these drugs on a personal and societal level...
That's my current thoughts anyway, LL.