'Minimum price could lead to 20% drop in deaths'
A minimum price of 40p a unit on alcohol and a ban on supermarket promotions could lead to a 20% drop in alcohol-related deaths in Scotland, according to new research commissioned by the Scottish Government.
The research, carried out by the authors of a similar report in England, Sheffield University, claims that alcohol-related deaths would fall by 70 in the first year and by 370 per year after 10 years. It also claims that there would be 30,000 fewer absence days from work each year.
It said the greatest impact would be on heavy drinkers, who tend to choose cheap, higher-strength products such as white cider and own label spirits while "moderate drinkers, by contrast, will barely be affected at all".
"It's now widely recognised that excessive alcohol consumption across society — fanned by rock-bottom pricing — is one of the biggest threats to Scottish public health," said Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
"It's also clear that excessive drinking is bad for the economy and bad for industry — with many thousands of workdays lost each year through absenteeism.
"We are already using all the powers at our disposal to tackle problem drinking — from banning irresponsible 'happy hour' type promotions and nationwide test-purchasing to catch rogue retailers, to substance misuse education in our schools and awareness raising campaigns on the dangers of too much drink.
"But it's clear that to bring about a real, lasting culture change we've got to be bolder. That's why the Scottish Government is bringing forward a radical package of measures in our Alcohol Bill."
However, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) said the Scottish Government would need to prove minimum price legislation would stand up to European scrutiny.
"SBPA has always argued that if the Scottish Government choose to proceed with minimum pricing of alcohol then it needed to be able to demonstrate compliance with UK and European law," said SBPA chief executive Patrick Browne.
"The report published today, commissioned and paid for by the Scottish Government, will no doubt be poured over by some, but its findings can hardly come as a surprise given that the same researchers who produced today's report had already produced another report endorsing the principle of minimum pricing.
"The Scottish Government will still have to demonstrate that any proposals it comes up with will comply with UK and European law and that is the critical issue."
