[jdietrich]

>However, I don't see why a minimum price is set. Wouldn't it be better to do away with the minimum price and raise the tax?

It's the most effective way of disincentivising heavy drinking without needlessly punishing moderate drinkers.

Scotland introduced minimum alcohol pricing last year, with a minimum price of 50 pence per unit. The policy was developed in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Alcohol Research Group. The price of most wines, branded spirits and premium beers was unaffected, but the effect on the cheapest and strongest drinks was dramatic - the price of a 3 litre bottle of white cider increased from £3.69 to £11.25. That has a substantial impact on the very heaviest drinkers, who suffer the greatest harms and cause the greatest societal costs.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.565373!/file/Scotl...