Mouthpiece: Paying the price for boozing

Published on Friday 3 September 2010 12:33

The time has come for action on our drink problem, says Evelyn Gillan

Most people agree that Scotland has a problem with alcohol and the health statistics paint a pessimistic picture. Twice as many people are dying an alcohol-related death today compared to 15 years ago. Death rates in Scotland are double those of England and liver cirrhosis has increased by 450 per cent over the last 30 years.

One of the main reasons we are drinking more is the increased affordability of alcohol. Alcohol is 70 per cent more affordable now compared to 30 years ago. The scary health statistics are quite simply the price we are paying for drinking more and doctors were among the first to call for action.

The Scottish Medical Royal Colleges called for the introduction of minimum unit pricing in 2007, a fact that appears to have been forgotten when politicians made it a party political issue. It is a matter of deep regret to the public health community in Scotland that minimum pricing has become embroiled in party politics.

The Scottish Government's decision to introduce a minimum unit price of 45p is expected to result in 1200 fewer hospital admissions and to save 50 lives in the first year.

Opponents argue that it will penalise moderate drinkers, but if you drink moderately, you will barely be affected. Every adult in Scotland is currently paying 900 a year towards the cost of alcohol harm, money that could be used to bolster Scotland's health and social services.

The Bill currently going through parliament includes a proposal to introduce a social responsibility levy. This will require those who profit from the sale of alcohol - for example, supermarkets - to contribute to the cost of alcohol harm.

The time has come to take party politics out of the minimum pricing debate and legislate in the public health interest.

• Dr Evelyn Gillan is chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland