Scotland - Alcohol sales drop; as minimum price kicks in?
2019
In an article published online by the BBC on 19th June, it has been reported that less alcohol was sold in 2018 than any year since records began in the early 1990s, according to a new report produced by NHS Health Scotland. This follows the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in May 2018.
The report found Scottish adults still bought more alcohol than people in England and Wales on average but the gap HAS narrowed. According to the report, alcohol continues to be a leading cause of illness and early death in Scotland.
The 2019 Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) report said:
- On average Scottish adults bought 19 units of alcohol per week, still above the UK recommended limit was 14 units a week.
- The annual volume of "pure alcohol" in drinks sold in Scotland was 9.9 litres per adult, down about 3% from 10.2 litres in 2017.
- The volume of alcohol is 9% higher than in England and Wales (9.1 litres) - the smallest difference since 2003.
- Since 2010 the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult through supermarkets and off-licences has fallen by 9% in Scotland.
- It has risen by 3% in England and Wales over the same period.
The MESAS report reflect alcohol sales for 2018 (when MUP was introduced) but data on harm caused by drinking was for the previous year, before MUP introduced.