Leading Campaigners Endorse Sheffield Modelling On Minimum Price For Alcohol, Scotland

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 22 Aug 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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The British Medical Association (BMA), Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) have endorsed the updated findings of researchers at Sheffield University on the impact that a minimum price per unit of alcohol will have on Scotland's drinking culture.

The three leading health organisations supported the study in a submission to the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee which is currently considering legislation to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

The Sheffield study uses modelling as its basis upon which to demonstrate the outcomes of the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol. Modelling is a technique widely used by governments around the world to estimate the impact of public policies and to inform policy decisions. The Sheffield modelling work was undertaken to estimate the effects of the introduction of an alcohol minimum price and discount ban on levels of alcohol related harm in Scotland.

The three organisations say that the introduction of a minimum price is a new policy, however they argue that it is based upon the strong evidentiary foundation that price is linked to consumption. The organisations also point to the wealth of data to demonstrate that as the price of alcohol goes up, consumption of alcohol comes down and as consumption decreases, harm attributable to alcohol also decreases.

This assumption is tested by the Sheffield modelling study using the most comprehensive Scottish data available on alcohol sales, expenditure and consumption patterns, as well as statistical data on a range of alcohol-related harms. The study finds that the introduction of a minimum price above 25p and upwards is associated with a reduction in consumption. The higher the minimum price the greater the reduction in consumption. The study also finds that when consumption drops, the harms attributable to alcohol in the areas of health, crime and the workplace fall.

Speaking on behalf of the three organisations, Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said:

"The BMA, AFS and SHAAP support the findings of the Sheffield study and therefore support the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol. A measure that could save more than five lives each week (preventing 261 alcohol attributable deaths each year) and result in 5,000 less hospital admissions, 3,000 less crimes and more than 30,000 fewer sick days per year once the policy has taken full effect.

"Our organisations are not alone in our endorsement of the Sheffield study. When peer-reviewed by leading international alcohol scientists the Sheffield modelling study was described as "highly significant", and making a "useful contribution" to thinking and action on alcohol policy.

"In light of this evidence of social, economic and health improvement, we believe that minimum pricing is the single most effective policy to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland. We urge the Scottish Parliament to support the introduction of minimum pricing in Scotland."

Source:
British Medical Association

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