WIREDGOV

Minimum pricing for alcohol and a ban on off-sales promotions would save hundreds of lives every year, according to research commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by experts at Sheffield University.

Findings show that, using an example minimum price of 40p per unit combined with a ban on promotions, alcohol-related deaths would fall by about 70 in the first year of the policy and about 370 per year after 10 years of operation - a drop in such deaths of nearly 20 per cent.

It also shows that a minimum pricing policy would lead to significant falls in alcohol-related illnesses and crimes, leading to yearly savings for taxpayers.

It would also have economic benefits - including nearly 30,000 fewer absence days from work every year, using the 40p example with a promotions ban.

The report confirms that the greatest impact of the policy will be on heavy drinkers, who tend to choose cheap, higher-strength products such as white cider and own label spirits.

These drinkers would see the highest additional spend on alcohol and the biggest fall in consumption as a result. Moderate drinkers, by contrast, will barely be affected at all.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon:

"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.

"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."

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns said:

"I remember when I was working as a surgeon in Glasgow 30 years ago, smokers would tell me that if tobacco was so dangerous for health the government would do something about it.

"We've come a long way with smoking and the ban has been important for protecting people's health. But alcohol, when consumed to excess, can be just as damaging and I'm afraid that the consumption levels we're seeing now right across society have very worrying consequences for health in the short and longer terms.

"All the evidence suggests that if you want to reduce alcohol-related harm, you need to look at price and availability, which are the key drivers of consumption.

"I've got to admit that initially I was sceptical about minimum pricing, but when you look at the facts, it becomes a no-brainer. It's actually a very targeted policy, because it basically affects people who are drinking above sensible limits and choosing the cheapest products.

"It's also becoming clear that many in the international community are looking at Scotland with great interest because they see us as taking the lead on this issue."

The Sheffield University reporting team was led by Dr Petra Meier, who conducted similar research for the UK Government using English data.

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