A recent study conducted by Queen’s University Belfast and highlighted by DB Recovery Resources has examined the impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol consumption patterns in Scotland. The study utilised data from three national household-level surveys, covering the period from 2008 to 2021. Findings revealed that overall alcohol consumption in Scotland began to decline before 2012 and saw a further drop with the implementation of MUP in 2018. Notably, there was an increase in the likelihood of abstention and a slight decrease in the prevalence of heavy drinking. The overall amount of alcohol consumption fell by approximately 8% after 2012 and 12% after 2018, compared to levels from 2008 to 2011. The reduction was more pronounced among moderate drinkers, whereas hazardous or harmful drinking levels remained relatively unchanged.

These results underscore the potential effectiveness of MUP as a public health strategy to reduce alcohol consumption. The study suggests that policy initiatives such as MUP and the Scottish Government’s multiple-buy discount ban may have contributed to the observed declines. The findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring and evaluation of alcohol pricing policies to understand their full impact and guide future public health interventions.

Source: DB Recovery Resources