Scotland’s minimum alcohol pricing has had a “positive impact on health outcomes”, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).
Introduced in 2018, the Scottish Government is reviewing whether to recommend extending the minimum price of 50 pence per unit when it expires in May 2024.
The PHS report, which will form the basis of its review, found that the measures reduced deaths caused directly by alcohol by 13.4 per cent and hospital admissions by 4.1 per cent.
Falling sales
Overall, minimum unit pricing was deemed to be responsible for a 3 per cent reduction in retail sales of alcohol.
Clare Beeston, lead for the evaluation of minimum unit pricing at PHS, said the measures “can play a part in addressing the preventable harm that affect far too many people, families and communities” but that it is also “important to continue to provide services and any wider support that addresses the root cause of their dependence”.
Elena Whitham, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, said the policy is “saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and many hospital admissions”.
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