Raising the price of alcohol does little to reduce people's drinking habits, according to new research.
A study commissioned by NHS Scotland found there was "no evidence" that minimum unit pricing stops heavy drinkers from buying alcohol.
Instead, many cut back on essentials like food and heating to cover the higher costs.
The measure was introduced in Ireland earlier this year.
Eunan McKinney, from Alcohol Action Ireland, says minimum unit pricing has a positive impact on reducing alcohol harm overall:
"It's very early because obviously we're only a month into this experience in Ireland. So it'll take some time for to really be assessed and evaluated in Ireland but in the context of contributing what is an overall policy of trying to reduce alcohol use in the whole of population, any appeal will play a significant role."
