Support Grows for Minimum Pricing

A leading Canadian academic and major player in the alcohol industry have added their names to the growing list of supporters backing the Scottish Government's bid to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.

Professor Tim Stockwell, director of the Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, says there is clear evidence that minimum pricing in Canada has significantly reduced alcohol consumption, while Rooney Anand, chief executive of brewer Greene King, believes minimum pricing will "seriously address and help to reduce, the negative impact of alcohol misuse".

Professor Stockwell said: "There is overwhelming evidence that cheap alcohol is linked to high levels of hazardous use and related harms.

"The Scottish Parliament should be applauded if they approve the Bill to introduce a minimum price on alcoholic drinks. This policy has been applied in Canadian jurisdictions for many years.

"Recent research at the Centre for Addictions Research at the University of Victoria has found clear evidence that increases in minimum price significantly reduce consumption.

"This policy is an essential plank of any comprehensive plan to tackle alcohol-related problems."

Mr Anand added: "Greene King has been a UK brewer and pub operator for over 200 years and we are proud of our longstanding reputation. We therefore take all issues around alcohol use, and misuse, very seriously.

"It is my long-held view that a great deal of the UK's antisocial behaviour and health issues stem from excessive drinking by a small minority of people fuelled by the easy availability and cheap prices of alcohol.

"We have consistently argued that the solution must be proportionate to the problem and should not penalise the majority of responsible drinkers. That is why we believe a minimum price for alcohol would go to the very heart of the problem."

The support of Professor Stockwell and Greene King adds to a growing consensus of opinion in favour of minimum pricing, including all 17 of Scotland's public health directors in NHS Scotland, the Chief Medical Officer of Scotland Sir Harry Burns, British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges, ACPOS, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Church of Scotland, various children's charities, Tennent's and Molson Coors.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Everyone is well aware that Scotland has an alcohol problem, with Scots drinking more than any other part of the UK - estimated to cost £3.56 billion each year. That's £900 for every adult.

"Professor Stockwell's view that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption adds further credibility to the argument that addressing price is a fundamental element of any long term strategy to tackle alcohol misuse. That is why we remain committed to the re-introduction of an Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill, a position also supported by a major brewer in the shape of Greene King.

"The support in favour of minimum pricing is overwhelming, particularly among health professionals who recognise the harm that alcohol is doing to our communities and the benefit minimum pricing will bring, saving lives and reducing crime."

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward an Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill within the next month.

Alcohol sales are now 23% higher in Scotland than in England and Wales, the biggest difference ever recorded during the 17 years measured since 1994.

The GROS Annual Review 2010 was published on August 2, 2011 and reported a 3% increase in alcohol-related deaths in Scotland.

The total value of harm reduction for health, crime and employment in year one is £52 million; over 10 years it is £721 million. (Figures taken from University of Sheffield modelling for Scotland updated and published in April 2010.)

Minimum pricing is one of over 40 measures in the Alcohol Framework aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. As well as this, quantity discounts have been banned and promotions in off-sales have been restricted.

A record £155 million in tackling alcohol misuses has been invested since 2008, the bulk of which - £134 million - has been invested in prevention, treatment and support services.

Professor Stockwell's preliminary findings from a three-year project to assess the effectiveness of minimum pricing policies in Canada have shown a link between price and consumption on the minimum pricing systems. They provide the first empirical evidence of the impact of minimum pricing on consumption.

More alcohol industry news from Scotland.