Research published in Canada has linked the introduction of minimum pricing with a significant drop in alcohol-related deaths.
The findings, in the journal Addiction, were welcomed by health campaigners.
But they have been criticised as "misleading and inaccurate" by the drinks industry, which has questioned the statistical basis of the research.
The Scottish government's plans to introduce a minimum unit price are on hold pending a court challenge.
The researchers said a rise in alcohol prices of 10% had led to a 32% reduction in alcohol-related deaths.
The Canadian study was carried out between 2002 and 2009 in British Columbia, where alcohol could only be sold directly to the public in government-owned stores.
It suggests that, when drink prices rose, there were "immediate, substantial and significant reductions" in deaths wholly attributable to alcohol abuse.
The authors suggest increasing the price of cheaper drinks reduces the consumption of heavier drinkers who prefer them.
Dr Tim Stockwell, director of the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, said: "This study adds to the scientific evidence that, despite popular opinion to the contrary, even the heaviest drinkers reduce their consumption when minimum alcohol prices increase.