Alcohol Policy UK

Price & taxation: new analysis published as Scottish MUP decision expected

Two new analysis relating to alcohol pricing effects have been published as a decision on Scotland's Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) is anticipated within a matter of months. A provisional timetable indicates the Inner House of the Scottish Court of Session could rule to implement MUP by the 8th June 2016.

Further Sheffield analysis on pricing and taxation effects

An updated analysis of the modelled impacts of MUP in Scotland has been produced by the Sheffield Alcohol Research Group (SARG), including modelled effects of tax increases - full report here [pdf]. Commissioned by the Scottish Government, it says to achieve an equivalent reduction in alcohol-related deaths amongst hazardous and harmful drinkers as a 50 pence MUP, a 28% increase in alcohol taxation would be required.

IAS Alert March 2016: 'bullying' over licenses, budget 2016, no moderate drinking health benefits & more

The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: March 2016 is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:

• Local Authorities often bullied by the licensed trade, but scope for greater health focus within licensing
• Budget 2016: Fourth successive real terms cut for beer, spirits and cider duty

Scotland's MESAS evaluation shows impact despite no minimum pricing

The final Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) report has been released, exploring the likely extent to which the strategy has impacted on alcohol harm in Scotland. See supporting infographics here.

The report acknowledges the complex range of factors that influence alcohol consumption and harms, but suggests the Scottish Government’s alcohol strategy has had a positive impact over the past 5 years. However external factors, especially socio-economic influences, have also contributed to the declining harms, and that improvements may have stalled in recent years.

News & updates February 2016: alcohol and cancer, manifesto for Scottish alcohol policy, drink drive limit

Selected media stories since the January roundup:

Alcohol policy and interventions

Scotland: MSPs have voted down a members bill which would have resulted in a ban on alcohol advertising within 200 metres (656ft) of schools. BBC News

Taxes on alcohol have been branded “a mess” by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which claimed they were responsible for a shrinking share of tax receipts, saying there was “a clear case for reform” of duties on driving and alcohol as they were poorly targeted at problem drinking. Financial Times

Findings bulletins: UK alcohol policies reviewed, hospital and sexual health intervention challenges

Recent bulletins from the drug and alcohol bank:

Which UK nation wins on evidence-based alcohol policy?

Devolution has seen alcohol policy diverging widely between UK nations. According to this independent assessment, Scotland leads the way with policies most closely aligned to evidence-based recommendations. Find out why the UK government as a whole and its direct responsibility England end up bottom of the league.

Problem drinking hospital patients reject treatment

SHAAP release 'top 20 alcohol policy actions' manifesto

SHAAP (Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems) has released a 'top 20 manifesto' for action on alcohol ahead of the upcoming Holyrood Scottish Parliament election in May.

'SHAAP's Top Twenty: A Manifesto for Action on Alcohol' [pdf] outlines 20 policy recommendations to reduce and prevent alcohol-related harms, with a particular emphasis on price, availability and marketing action. SHAAP say alcohol death rates in Scotland are almost twice the level they were in the early 1980s and that hospital admissions for alcoholic liver disease have more than quadrupled in the past 30 years. Twenty Scots are reported to die every week because of alcohol.

News & updates January 2016: NHS strains, drink driving, kudzu, industry and problem drinkers & more

Selected media stories since the December roundup, not including the widely reported change in drinking guidelines:

Alcohol, health and the NHS

The NHS faces a ticking timebomb of dementia, brain damage and liver disease due to the heavy drinking of the baby boomer generation, reported the Daily Mail

A study reported in the Daily Mail found that alcohol consumption can increase consumption of unhealthy food via its effects on inhibitory control, although not in highly restrained eaters.

News & updates December 2015: Ireland wants MUP, 'driets', stop and search, empty nesters

Selected media stories since the November roundup:

Alcohol policy 

News on the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling of the Scottish Government's plan for a minimum alcohol price and the intricacies of EU law was widely reported (eg Herald Scotland; see also our recent analysis). The Telegraph's Scotland Editor argued 'this is one battle the Nats should keep fighting.'

The Scottish government is to reintroduce stop and search of children (for alcohol), according to campaigners who fear could worsen Police Scotland’s already vexed relationship with young people reported the Guardian.

Alcohol's 'centrality' within Scotland's LGBT community

A new report has explored the role of alcohol within the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender (LGBT) communities in Scotland, detailing the 'centrality' of alcohol and the strong role it plays in identity. Although little is known about transgender people's drinking, LGBT groups generally experience higher levels of alcohol misuse but feel less able to access services.

Download The social context of LGBT people’s drinking in Scotland [PDF]

The study was undertaken by researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), funded by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP). The research aimed to explore the social context of drinking among LGBT people in Scotland based on a series of focus groups which identified 'the centrality of alcohol on the commercial gay scene'.

News & updates November 2015: Burger King sells alcohol; tax & liver deaths; sales to drunks; slimline mixers and coffee

Selected alcohol media reports since the October roundup:

Alcohol policy

Burger King launches bid to become first fast food chain to sell alcohol in the UK - Independent -  and subsequently confirmed this month.

Liver deaths are 'likely to increase' after relaxation of alcohol tax policies, according to a report from a Lancet medical journal commission on liver disease - The Guardian