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 salesOverall, minimum unit pricing was deemed to be responsible for a 3 per cent reduction in retail sales of alcohol. Elena Whitham, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, said the policy is “saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and many hospital admissions”.

Source: The Times July 03, 2023 16:12 UTC