Research released by Aberdeen University appears to challenge the argument against minimum pricing that it would 'unfairly target lower income drinkers'.
The study suggested that minimum pricing will have a selective effect on the heaviest drinkers, rather than those specifically on lower incomes, according to Dr Bruce Ritson (BBC report). A press release from the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), who commissioned the research, highlighted the key findings as:
- all income groups buy cheap alcohol;
- middle-to-higher income groups are as likely to buy off-sales alcohol below 40p a unit as the lowest income groups;
- the highest income households purchase the most off-sales alcohol;
- low-income households are less likely to purchase any off-sales alcohol. Only 1 out of 3 households in the lowest income group buy off-sales alcohol, compared to 2 out of 3 households in the highest income group.
Read the full findings: Purchasing Patterns for Low Price Alcohol: Evidence from the Expenditure and Food Survey [pdf]
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