Text Size
Smaller
Bigger

Scotland Considers Mandatory Minimum Price Per Drink to Curb Alcohol Abuse

posted 11:54 PM EST, Sun September 27, 2009
Scotland Considers Mandatory Minimum Price Per Drink to Curb Alcohol Abuse © Photo Credit: Zombizi

Sheffield University researchers say that in Scotland, legislating a mandatory minimum price per drink of 40p (63 US cents) would save up to 370 lives per year and save the government hundreds of millions of pounds.

Scotland’s problems with binge drinking and alcoholism rank it among the most alcohol troubled of developed world nations. Some experts say that very cheap alcohol exacerbates these problems and that a legislated minimum price per drink might decrease some of the worst abuses.

To investigate this proposal, the Scottish government commissioned an academic study on the predicted consequences of minimum drink pricing; and researchers out of Sheffield University found that a minimum price per drink of 40 pence would:

  • Save 70 lives in the first year after implementation and 370 lives per year after 10 years
  • Save the government 160 million pounds in alcohol related health care costs over the next 10 years
  • Lead to 30 000 fewer alcohol caused sick days from work each year

The researchers say that a minimum price per drink of 50p would have even greater positive effects.

Under the proposed 40p per drink pricing, a bottle of wine would need cost a minimum of 3.60 pounds. The researchers say that people who drink moderately priced alcohol would notice little difference in cost with minimum pricing, but that people who abuse very low cost alcohol, like high alcohol cider, would see substantial cost increases.

Should Scotland decide to proceed with legislated minimum alcohol pricing they would be the first European country to do so, and they won’t pass any such law without a fight from many opposition MPs who oppose the idea. Liberal Democrat Robert Brown described his problem with mandated minimums saying, "Minimum pricing won't tackle the cycle of deprivation that often drives people to drinking cheap, high strength alcohol in the first place.” Other critics have pointed to the high costs of alcohol in Scandinavian countries that still face substantial alcohol related problems.

Scottish Chief Medical Officer, Harry Burns, disagrees, saying, "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. I've got to admit that initially I was sceptical about minimum pricing but when you look at the facts, it becomes a no-brainer."

Subscribe Subscribe to this topic category
Creative Commons License
Copyright Notice
We welcome republishing of our content on condition that you credit Choose Help and the respective authors. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Helpful Information
Alcohol Addiction - the Straight Facts
Addicted to Alcohol? Learn About Alcoholism & Treatment © Josep Salvia I Bote
The difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction (alcoholism), what puts you at risk of becoming an alcoholic and what to do once you’ve crossed that invisible line to addiction. Read Article
Addictions November 13, 2023
An Alcoholism Progression Timeline
A Timeline Charting the Progressive Nature of Alcoholism © Flannol
Here are 2 facts about alcoholism: It tends to get worse over time (it is progressive) and most people experience a fairly similar progression of symptoms and consequences. Here is a timeline which charts the progressive experiences of alcoholism through the early, middle and late stages. If you have a drinking problem, find out where you fall on the timeline and consider what’s coming in the future. Read Article
Alcoholism July 11, 2013 (18)

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.

Find Treatment
Browse by region »
Scan to call us
using your phone camera app