Minimum pricing of alcohol

1st February 2012

Minimum pricing for alcohol, together with the existing ban on irresponsible promotions could prevents thousands of deaths, illnesses and crimes and save Scotland millions of pounds.

These are the findings of a revised report carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield which was published this morning.

The report, which was published as the Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon appeared at the Health Committee to talk about Minimum Unit Pricing, measures the effect that the policy is estimated to have on Scotland's alcohol misuse problem.

The Sheffield team first carried out the report in 2009 and it has been refreshed in light of new data.

The report looks at a range of minimum prices from 25p to 70p, with and without a ban on promotions. This will help Ministers decide on the level of the minimum price, which will be announced in the Spring.

Key findings from the updated report, using a 45p minimum price, with a promotions ban, as an illustrative figure, include:

Overall weekly consumption across society would fall by six per cent. Consumption changes are greatest for harmful drinkers
Alcohol related deaths would fall by about 60 in the first year and over 300 by year ten of the policy
Alcohol-attributable morbidity decreases with an estimated reduction of 1,000 acute and 260 chronic illnesses in year one
A fall in general hospital admission of 1,660 in year one and 6,630 by year ten
Harmful drinkers would pay an extra £132 per year, compared to just £9 for moderate drinkers
A fall in crime of 3,600 offences per year
Around 36,500 fewer workdays lost through absenteeism and 1,180 fewer people unemployed because of alcohol misuse each year
Harm reduction valued at £952 million over 10 years
Ms Sturgeon said:

"We all know that Scotland has a serious problem with alcohol misuse, with Scots drinking more than any other part of the UK and these findings further confirm my belief that minimum pricing can be a key weapon in the battle against this.

"The findings also confirm that the measure will have more of an effect on heavy drinkers as they tend to favour cheaper alcohol.

"There is a clear link between the price of alcohol and consumption levels which is why we always intended to introduce a minimum price alongside the quantity discount ban.

"The support in favour of minimum pricing is now overwhelming, and I hope that this time around Scotland's MSPs will do the right thing and back this policy.

"Doctors, nurses, the police, academics and politicians, as well as growing numbers of the general population, have now recognised the harm that alcohol is doing to our communities and the benefit minimum pricing will bring - saving lives and reducing crime."