The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Alcoholics ‘cut food for drink’ after MUP rule
Scots suffering the worst effects of alcoholism did not change their drinking habits once minimum pricing was introduced, with some of the poorest cutting back on food and energy so they could continue to buy drink, a study has found.
Among those drinking at harmful levels or those with alcohol dependence the study, published today by Public Health Scotland, found no clear evidence of a change in consumption or severity of dependence once minimum unit pricing was introduced.
And the research found that some economically vulnerable groups had greater financial strain as the price rises meant they were spending more on alcohol. This led some people who were dependent on alcohol to reduce other expenditure, such as that on food and utilities.
Minimum unit pricing came into force on May 1 2018 and requires all licensed premises in
Scotland to set a floor price of 50p per unit of alcohol.
It was introduced in an attempt to reduce alcoholrelated harms, including death, crime and unemployment, by raising the price of the cheap, offtrade alcohol purchased in supermarkets and off-licences.
Professor John Holmes, who led the research, said previous studies had shown minimum pricing had reduced alcohol sales but this one showed “that people with alcohol
dependence responded to MUP in very different ways”.
“Some reduced their spending on other things but others switched to lower strength drinks or simply bought less alcohol,” said the director of the Sheffield Alcohol Research Group and University of Sheffield professor.
“It is important that
alcohol treatment services and other organisations find ways to support those who do have financial problems, particularly as inflation rises.”
Helen Chung Patterson, public health intelligence adviser at Public Health Scotland, said the research “further develops our understanding of and insights into this important
population and how they have responded” to minimum unit pricing.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said:“the aim of the study was to contribute evidence to the wider evaluation programme which will conclude next year including a robust review of any potential consequences of the policy.”