The SNP have had support from an academic report which backs the party’s plans to ensure alcohol should be charged at a minimum price, in order to potentially save hundreds of lives a year.
The report prepared by academics at Sheffield University established that if alcohol was charged at a minimum of 40p per unit, they estimated approximately 70 less alcohol-related deaths in year one, in addition to crime rates and work absences being reduced. Over a period of ten years it was suggested that the move could result in the NHS saving £160m and save around 370 lives every year.
Scottish ministers welcome the results of the report, especially in view of the SNP’s imminent Alcohol Bill.
With every unit being charged at at least 40p, a bottle of wine would cost no less than £3.60 and a six-pack of lager £4.80. However the biggest impact would be on high strength ciders and supermarket branded spirits, which could see a 700ml bottle of vodka coming in at £10.50.
It is hoped that the move could dramatically reduce the crime and health problems and result in a “cultural change” in Scotland, which has one of the worst reputations in the developed world for alcohol related issues. Last year saw 1,411 people die from alcohol induced illnesses in Scotland - more than twice the rate in 1978, 30 years before.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Health Secretary claimed Scotland’s drinking problem was in need of “radical” action. “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,” she said.
However some critics think it is naive to assume excessive drinking can be addressed by charging more money for alcohol. “There is no link between price and irresponsible consumption,” said a spokesman for the Scottish Retail Consortium. “Minimum pricing will not solve the problem.”
Conversely however, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Harry Burns, referred to the proposal as a “no brainer”, in spite of earlier concerns about the plans, “The consumption levels across society have very worrying consequences for health,” he said. “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.”
