The latest data on UK alcohol sales has been released by NHS Scotland, showing consumption appears to have stabilised since 2013 in England and Scotland.
The report states:
'After increasing over the 1990s and early 2000s, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland stabilised at around 11.6 litres per adult between 2005 and 2009. Following a period of decline to 2013, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult has remained broadly stable and in 2017 was at a level similar to that seen in 1994.'
As highlighted in a Twitter thread by Colin Angus, the overall flat trend is concealed by rising off-trade sales and falling on-trade sales in both countries. Scotland's consumption however remains 14% higher per adult than in England, 89% of which is accounted for by higher off-trade sales, particularly vodka. Further, whilst consumption has flat-lined, alcohol-specific deaths have continued to rise, particularly amongst men over 55 in Scotland, though not mirrored by alcohol-related hospital admissions. The more positive picture of declines in young people's drinking appears to continue.
Next year's release will be far more eagerly anticipated given it will give early indications of the initial impact of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) introduced in Scotland in May 2018. The Scottish Government has committed to an extensive MUP evaluation programme, but certainly its impact on off-trade sales will be considered the central indicator of its effect. Meanwhile, Wales continues to make strides towards MUP whilst England may be seen as under increasing pressure having recently announced plans for a new national strategy including further assessment of MUP.
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