Minimum unit pricing reduces alcohol deaths but 'not enough' being done for poor alcoholics
A report lays bare the effectiveness of the policy introduced in 2018
Minimum unit pricing (MUP) has reduced alcohol deaths in Scotland by 13.4% since its introduction, according to a report.
The findings by Public Health Scotland (PHS) suggest the 50p minimum charge placed on each unit of alcohol in 2018 has had a "positive impact".
There were 150 fewer deaths recorded on average each year, and 400 fewer hospital admissions.
Drugs and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham welcomed the findings.
She said: "We're determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm and, as this research demonstrates, our world-leading policy is saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and many hospital admissions.”
Limited help for poor alcoholics
However, the report found “limited evidence” of reducing consumption among low-income alcoholics - and had even led to some prioritising spending their funds on alcohol rather than food.
Clare Beeston, lead for the evaluation of MUP at PHS, thinks more support is needed for those with complex alcohol dependencies living in the poorest areas.
She said: "We have seen reductions in deaths and hospital admissions directly caused by sustained, high levels of alcohol consumption, and this is further evidence that those drinking at harmful and hazardous levels have reduced their consumption.
"MUP alone is not enough to address the specific and complex needs of those with alcohol dependence who will often prioritise alcohol over other needs, and it is important to continue to provide services and any wider support that addresses the root cause of their dependence.
"Those living in the most socioeconomic deprived areas in Scotland experience alcohol-specific death rates at least five times greater than those living in the least deprived areas.”
"Deserves to be ditched”
The latest available figures from 2021 show 1,245 people died from conditions caused by alcohol - the highest since 2008.
Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle at the Institute of Economic Affairs, branded the report as a "whitewash", adding that it "ignores most of the evidence from the Government's own evaluation" which shows alcohol deaths are at their highest level.
He added: "Minimum pricing was promoted to politicians based on speculative modelling so it is apt that a speculative model is being used to save it from the sunset clause - but minimum pricing has only ever worked in the imaginations of a handful of academics.
"It has cost Scottish consumers hundreds of millions of pounds and deserves to be ditched.”
The report will be used to help the Scottish Parliament decide whether it will continue with MUP, with a vote expected before May 2024.