Getting the price of alcohol right

One of the most effective and cost-effective ways for society to minimise the damage from alcohol consumption is by regulating the price of alcohol.

Why price matters

The price of alcohol matters because when the price of alcohol goes down, consumption of alcohol goes up. The more affordable alcohol becomes, the more people use it, and the more harm we experience because of it.

Between 1980 and 2009:

• Alcohol became 70% more affordable.
• Consumption of alcohol increased by more than 2 litres of pure alcohol per head of population.
• Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland went up by more than 100%.

SHAAP is campaigning for an increase in the price of alcohol to reduce consumption and harm. In a report published in November 2010, Getting the price of alcohol right: safeguarding public health and social well-being, the effectiveness of different alcohol pricing mechanisms on tackling harmful alcohol consumption are compared. The evidence reviewed in the report indicates that the alcohol pricing mechanisms that will have the greatest health and social benefits are:

• Increases in alcohol duty on all beverage types in line with inflation and disposable income;
• A minimum price of at least 40p per unit of alcohol;
• A ban on price promotions.

In Scotland, a ban on quantity discounts for alcohol was introduced in the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill that was passed in November 2010. Once the legislation comes into force promotional offers such as ‘3 bottles for £10’ will no longer be allowed.