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| Call to raise 'life-saving' minimum alcohol price in Scotland | Call to raise 'life-saving' minimum alcohol price in Scotland |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A 50p minimum price per unit of alcohol was implemented in May 2018 | A 50p minimum price per unit of alcohol was implemented in May 2018 |
| Scotland should increase its minimum unit price for alcohol from 50p to 65p, campaigners have said. | Scotland should increase its minimum unit price for alcohol from 50p to 65p, campaigners have said. |
| It came as a final evaluation of the policy found that it reduced alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions, and lowered alcohol consumption. | It came as a final evaluation of the policy found that it reduced alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions, and lowered alcohol consumption. |
| However, Public Health Scotland also said it had a limited impact on the most harmful drinkers. | However, Public Health Scotland also said it had a limited impact on the most harmful drinkers. |
| Health experts said ministers should consider increasing the unit price to build on the "life-saving policy". | Health experts said ministers should consider increasing the unit price to build on the "life-saving policy". |
| The Scottish government said it would consider the report's findings. | The Scottish government said it would consider the report's findings. |
| What effect has MUP had on public health? | What effect has MUP had on public health? |
| In May 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to set a minimum price of alcohol, with an initial price of 50p a unit. | In May 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to set a minimum price of alcohol, with an initial price of 50p a unit. |
| Since then academics have been evaluating the impact minimum unit pricing (MUP) has had on Scotland. A new Public Health Scotland report collates 40 studies to examine the policy's effect on health, business and public attitudes. | Since then academics have been evaluating the impact minimum unit pricing (MUP) has had on Scotland. A new Public Health Scotland report collates 40 studies to examine the policy's effect on health, business and public attitudes. |
| Overall, the report claims MUP "had a positive impact on health outcomes, including addressing alcohol-related health inequalities". | Overall, the report claims MUP "had a positive impact on health outcomes, including addressing alcohol-related health inequalities". |
| It said it reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by 13.4% and hospital admissions by 4.1%. | It said it reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by 13.4% and hospital admissions by 4.1%. |
| The report also said the largest reductions were seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas. | The report also said the largest reductions were seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas. |
| Clare Beeston, who led the evaluation of MUP, said: "Those living in the most socio-economically deprived areas in Scotland experience alcohol-specific death rates at least five times greater than those living in the least deprived areas. Alcohol-related disorders are a leading contributor to health inequalities in Scotland. | Clare Beeston, who led the evaluation of MUP, said: "Those living in the most socio-economically deprived areas in Scotland experience alcohol-specific death rates at least five times greater than those living in the least deprived areas. Alcohol-related disorders are a leading contributor to health inequalities in Scotland. |
| "Overall, the evidence shows that MUP has had a positive impact on improving health outcomes, including alcohol-related health inequalities, and can play a part in addressing the preventable harms that affect far too many people, families and communities." | "Overall, the evidence shows that MUP has had a positive impact on improving health outcomes, including alcohol-related health inequalities, and can play a part in addressing the preventable harms that affect far too many people, families and communities." |
| 'Benefits will be amplified' with price increase | 'Benefits will be amplified' with price increase |
| Liver specialist Ewan Forrest believes the price of alcohol should increase further | Liver specialist Ewan Forrest believes the price of alcohol should increase further |
| Professor Ewan Forrest, a consultant liver specialist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said he has seen a "significant" impact on hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease as a result of MUP. | Professor Ewan Forrest, a consultant liver specialist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said he has seen a "significant" impact on hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease as a result of MUP. |
| However, he also said the price must rise. | However, he also said the price must rise. |
| The surgeon - who is also on the steering group with Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) - said: "The 50p minimum unit price was established nearly a decade ago. | The surgeon - who is also on the steering group with Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) - said: "The 50p minimum unit price was established nearly a decade ago. |
| "Obviously a lot of things have changed in that time, including inflation. It seems only sensible that the minimum unit price would increase in parallel with that. | "Obviously a lot of things have changed in that time, including inflation. It seems only sensible that the minimum unit price would increase in parallel with that. |
| "I would certainly be advocating for it going up to 65p or more. Its benefits will be amplified at that higher level." | "I would certainly be advocating for it going up to 65p or more. Its benefits will be amplified at that higher level." |
| His comments were echoed by the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and BMA Scotland. | His comments were echoed by the charity Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and BMA Scotland. |
| 'Retailers are winning but consumers are losing' | 'Retailers are winning but consumers are losing' |
| Abdul Majid, past president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, says MUP has made smaller retailers more competitive with supermarkets | Abdul Majid, past president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, says MUP has made smaller retailers more competitive with supermarkets |
| Initial opposition to MUP came from the drinks industry and retailers while a legal bid by the Scotch Whisky Association to halt the policy failed in 2017. | Initial opposition to MUP came from the drinks industry and retailers while a legal bid by the Scotch Whisky Association to halt the policy failed in 2017. |
| While there was a 3% reduction in alcohol consumption as measured by retail sales, Public Health Scotland claimed there was "no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland as a whole". | While there was a 3% reduction in alcohol consumption as measured by retail sales, Public Health Scotland claimed there was "no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland as a whole". |
| Shopkeeper Abdul Majid, a past-president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, expressed concern about the policy before it was introduced. | Shopkeeper Abdul Majid, a past-president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, expressed concern about the policy before it was introduced. |
| However, he said the policy has meant smaller retailers can now compete with supermarkets on alcohol sales. | However, he said the policy has meant smaller retailers can now compete with supermarkets on alcohol sales. |
| He said: "We're winning in the sense that it's giving us more profits, in that we don't have to do the deep promotions anymore. | He said: "We're winning in the sense that it's giving us more profits, in that we don't have to do the deep promotions anymore. |
| "In the sense that the retailers are winning, you could argue that the consumers are losing out on the deep value they had in the past." | "In the sense that the retailers are winning, you could argue that the consumers are losing out on the deep value they had in the past." |
| 'It became harder for him to feed his addiction' | 'It became harder for him to feed his addiction' |
| In 2019, Danny Girvan complained of struggling to afford alcohol after MUP | In 2019, Danny Girvan complained of struggling to afford alcohol after MUP |
| Public Health Scotland stated that there was "limited evidence of any reduction in consumption" in those who were dependent on alcohol. | Public Health Scotland stated that there was "limited evidence of any reduction in consumption" in those who were dependent on alcohol. |
| The report added that there was evidence of "negative health and social consequences at an individual level, particularly for those with alcohol dependence who are financially vulnerable". | The report added that there was evidence of "negative health and social consequences at an individual level, particularly for those with alcohol dependence who are financially vulnerable". |
| In 2019, BBC Scotland's The Nine programme interviewed Danny Girvan to discuss the impact of MUP one year after its implementation. | In 2019, BBC Scotland's The Nine programme interviewed Danny Girvan to discuss the impact of MUP one year after its implementation. |
| The 45-year-old said he had become dependent on alcohol and complained of rising prices. | The 45-year-old said he had become dependent on alcohol and complained of rising prices. |
| He said a reduction in his alcohol intake had led to "shakes, sweating and vomiting". | He said a reduction in his alcohol intake had led to "shakes, sweating and vomiting". |
| He continued: "I'd go into the shop and buy about 10 cans and it would only be a fiver. It was about 90 pence for those cans I'm drinking and now they are £2." | He continued: "I'd go into the shop and buy about 10 cans and it would only be a fiver. It was about 90 pence for those cans I'm drinking and now they are £2." |
| Mr Girvan died several months after the programme aired. | Mr Girvan died several months after the programme aired. |
| Last week, his niece Natasha told the BBC: "Through the years, people would try and help him, or encourage him with new hobbies like pigeons and boxing. | Last week, his niece Natasha told the BBC: "Through the years, people would try and help him, or encourage him with new hobbies like pigeons and boxing. |
| "It did get progressively worse through the years and the addictions got worse as well. | "It did get progressively worse through the years and the addictions got worse as well. |
| "With the price increase, I think it became harder for him to feed his addictions and habits. | "With the price increase, I think it became harder for him to feed his addictions and habits. |
| "Then ultimately, the withdrawals would've got worse and his health would've got worse." | "Then ultimately, the withdrawals would've got worse and his health would've got worse." |
| Natasha Girvan said her uncle Danny found it difficult to feed his alcohol addiction | Natasha Girvan said her uncle Danny found it difficult to feed his alcohol addiction |
| What happens next? | What happens next? |
| The 2012 law that established MUP has a "sunset clause" that means MSPs must vote on whether the policy should continue before 1 May 2024. | The 2012 law that established MUP has a "sunset clause" that means MSPs must vote on whether the policy should continue before 1 May 2024. |
| Elena Whitham MSP, minister for drug and alcohol policy, hailed the policy as having a "positive impact in cutting alcohol consumption" and that the Scottish government would now conduct its own review of the findings. | Elena Whitham MSP, minister for drug and alcohol policy, hailed the policy as having a "positive impact in cutting alcohol consumption" and that the Scottish government would now conduct its own review of the findings. |
| She told BBC Scotland: "We will bring that forward to the parliament later in the year. | She told BBC Scotland: "We will bring that forward to the parliament later in the year. |
| "Any increase to the level that minimum unit pricing is set at will need to be underpinned by robust evidence. It's only right that I take time to actually digest this and we look at all of the evidence in the round." | "Any increase to the level that minimum unit pricing is set at will need to be underpinned by robust evidence. It's only right that I take time to actually digest this and we look at all of the evidence in the round." |
| She added: "That will result in a robust evidence paper coming before parliament, where, if the government decides that the evidence is there to support the continuation of MUP, we will lay orders later in the year." | She added: "That will result in a robust evidence paper coming before parliament, where, if the government decides that the evidence is there to support the continuation of MUP, we will lay orders later in the year." |
| Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhan, said MUP was a "blunt instrument to tackle a complex problem". | |
| "Alcohol deaths are at their highest level since 2008 in Scotland on the SNP's watch," he said. | |
| "As the report highlights, minimum unit pricing alone will not fix the issues facing those struggling with addiction. | |
| "If SNP ministers are remaining committed to minimum unit pricing, they must also give their full commitment to the Scottish Conservatives' Right to Recovery Bill. | |
| "It is backed by frontline experts and would guarantee treatment to all those who need it." | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Alcohol | Alcohol |
| Scotland health | Scotland health |
| Scottish government | Scottish government |
| Minimum alcohol pricing | Minimum alcohol pricing |