A 50p minimum unit price for alcohol is expected to gain parliamentary approval later.

The policy of a minimum unit price for alcohol was approved in 2012 but delayed by legal challenges which lasted until November 2017.

Now MSPs have to vote on the level at which the price is set.

Health Secretary Shona Robison has previously said 50p is the "right rate", backed by Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee.

If passed by parliament today, the new unit price will come into effect on May 1 and make Scotland the first country in the world to introduce legislation of this type.

Research predicts a 50p minimum unit price will lead to 392 fewer alcohol-related deaths and more than 8,000 fewer alcohol-related hospital admission.

Almost three-quarters (74.3 per cent) of those who took part in the Scottish Government's consultation backed minimum pricing at this level but some organisations called for it to be higher.