News

In response to the updated Alcohol Minimum Price Modelling Research from the University of Sheffield, Jennifer Curran, Head of Policy, Research and Communications at Alcohol Focus Scotland said:

"Alcohol related harm is at a historically high level in Scotland.

"There is a wealth of evidence showing that the most effective way of reducing consumption and harm is to increase the price of alcohol.  This updated research released today again demonstrates the clear link between price and consumption.  Minimum pricing is an effective policy because it targets the drinkers causing the most harm to both themselves and society, whilst having very little effect on the spending of moderate drinkers.

"The introduction of a minimum unit price will further strengthen the legislative measures brought into place through both the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Act 2010 which have banned quantity discounting.

"Minimum pricing offers us the opportunity to save lives and protect communities from the devastating effects of cheap alcohol and we urge all Scottish parties to unite around this important piece of legislation."

To read the report please click here http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.150021!/file/scotlandupdatejan2012.pdf