It is becoming increasingly evident that as a nation our relationship with alcohol has become unbalanced. Alcohol sales data suggests that consumption has increased by 11% since 1994, with enough alcohol being sold for every adult in Scotland to exceed weekly recommended limits for men each and every week since at least 2000. In 2010, 23% more alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland than in England & Wales, the widest gap to date.
The impact of this excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.6 billion each year, that’s equivalent to an incredible £900 for each and every adult in Scotland. Hospital discharges have quadrupled since the early 1980s and deaths directly related to alcohol misuse doubled. The impact on crime and anti-social behaviour is equally stark, with statistics showing that 50% of prisoners (including 77% of young offenders) were drunk at the time of their offence.
What is clear is that bold new action is required to help drive a long-term change in cultural attitudes towards alcohol. That is why the Scottish Government has introduced the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill. Bill (as introduced) (56KB pdf posted 1 November 2011)
See the effect of the 45p minimum price