News and Press

Leading international scientists back minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland

12 Feb 2010

Four of the world’s leading alcohol scientists have sent a letter in support of minimum unit pricing for alcohol to all Scottish parliamentarians. Setting a minimum price for alcohol is -- say the scientists -- an innovative response to Scotland’s growing concern about the widespread availability and use of cheap alcohol. Although the measure has not so far been widely implemented, the scientists point to an extensive evidence base demonstrating the effectiveness of price controls in reducing alcohol consumption and harm. On this basis, they argue, there is very good reason to believe that minimum pricing will work to reduce the amount of harmful drinking that is linked to cheap alcohol.

“Our advice is that Scotland should implement a minimum price for alcoholic beverages, along with a strong evaluation of its effects. We look forward to the results of such an action, which will provide Scotland with concrete evidence as a basis for future policy, and will also put Scotland in a position to lead and advise the world on this important initiative.”

As many countries across the globe are experiencing a rise in death and disease due to alcohol, there is growing recognition that strengthened regulatory controls on the availability and distribution of health-damaging commodities such as alcohol are necessary to limit harm and protect population health.

Welcoming the statement by leading alcohol scientists, Dr Bruce Ritson, Chair of SHAAP, said:

“There is a growing consensus amongst alcohol scientists and public health specialists around the world that minimum unit pricing, along with other regulatory controls on the price and availability of alcohol, provide the most effective means of limiting the damage to due to alcohol. Weak policy measures, such as education and ‘responsible drinking’ campaigns, have failed to prevent a staggering rise in alcohol consumption and harm. What is urgently required is a much more robust response that prioritises public health in face of uncertainty or competing interests. In Scotland we now have an opportunity to make alcohol policy that works and we urge politicians to put the interests of the health and well-being of Scotland above party political point-scoring.”

Open letter from leading scientists to Scottish Parliamentarians