As of September 30, 2024, Scotland’s minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol has been increased to 65p, a necessary adjustment to maintain the policy’s public health benefits. Since its implementation in 2018, MUP has been credited with saving 156 lives annually and reducing alcohol-related hospital admissions by 411 each year. However, the initial 50p price had become less effective due to inflation, prompting the uprating. This decision received widespread political and civic support, though Alcohol Focus Scotland cautions that more action is needed to address the country’s persistent alcohol harm crisis.
Alcohol Focus Scotland is advocating for an automatic uprating mechanism to adjust MUP with inflation and for an alcohol harm prevention levy on retailers, ensuring that profits are channeled into prevention and treatment services. Despite the positive impact of MUP, alcohol deaths in Scotland have reached a 15-year high, highlighting the need for a broader response. The organization emphasizes that, alongside pricing measures, stronger regulations on alcohol marketing and increased access to treatment are crucial to tackle the ongoing public health emergency.
Read more from Alcohol Focus Scotland (Scotland, September 2024)
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