- Report concludes policy has saved lives and cut hospital
admissions.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister has welcomed research from
Public Health Scotland which concludes that Minimum Unit Pricing
(MUP) has saved lives, reduced hospital admissions and had a
‘positive impact’ on health.
In their final report of a series, researchers said that ‘robust,
independent evaluation’ and the best-available, wide-ranging
evidence drawing on 40 independent research publications, showed
that MUP has been effective in its main goal of reducing alcohol
harm with the reduction in deaths and hospital admissions
specific to the timing of MUP implementation.
This follows a study published in March by PHS and University of
Glasgow showing MUP reduced alcohol consumption by 3%, deaths
directly caused by alcohol consumption by 13.4% and hospital
admissions by 4.1%. compared to what would have happened if MUP
had not been in place.
Ms Whitham said:
“We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm
and, as this research demonstrates, our world-leading policy is
saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and hospital admissions.
Just one life lost to alcohol-related harm is one too many and my
sympathy goes to all those who have lost a loved one.
“MUP has also contributed to reducing health inequalities. The
study found the largest reductions in deaths and hospital
admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption were seen
in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas.
“We know that additional support is needed for some groups,
including those dealing with alcohol dependence and issues such
as homelessness. That’s why, alongside MUP, last year £106.8
million was made available to Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships
to support local and national initiatives. We will now carefully
consider this research as part of ongoing work on reviewing MUP.”
Notes to editors
The research also found that the ‘balance of costs and benefits’
are favourable and there was no clear evidence of ‘substantial
negative impacts’ on the alcohol industry, or of wider social
harms at the population level – and there was no evidence that
MUP drove people to start using illegal drugs in place of
alcohol.
There was some evidence of negative consequences, particularly
for those with alcohol dependence on low incomes.
