Public health experts in England are now advocating for the implementation of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol, following Scotland’s successful lead in this area. Scotland became the first country in the world to establish a minimum price for alcoholic drinks in 2018, with the price recently increased from 50p to 65p per unit of alcohol. Health Secretary Neil Gray has emphasized that this policy has saved hundreds of lives.
In England, consumers can currently purchase a two-litre bottle of cider for less than £2, which equates to just 22p per unit of alcohol. Experts are alarmed by the affordability of alcohol in the country and are pointing to the rising number of alcohol-related deaths as a cause for concern.
Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, emphasized the clear evidence that minimum unit pricing saves lives. A recent NHS report highlighted the increasing affordability of alcohol and the subsequent rise in alcohol-related deaths. Despite the success of MUP in Scotland, the Labour government in England initially ruled out introducing this policy but has not explicitly rejected the idea when prompted by The Guardian.
The Department of Health and Social Care stated that under their health mission, they are prioritizing public health measures to support people in living longer, healthier lives, including addressing alcohol-related harms. While alcohol deaths in Scotland reached a 15-year high in 2023, a report published in the Lancet medical journal indicated that MUP was associated with a 13.4% reduction in deaths solely attributed to alcohol in Scotland.
Experts like Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, believe that raising the price of alcohol can lead to a decrease in consumption, particularly among heavy drinkers who are most at risk. The evidence from Scotland suggests that MUP not only reduces alcohol consumption but also contributes to a decrease in alcohol-related deaths.
The call for England to implement minimum unit pricing for alcohol is growing louder as public health experts stress the potential life-saving impact of this policy. By following Scotland’s example, England could see a reduction in alcohol-related harms and deaths, ultimately leading to healthier communities across the country.
