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AFS backs Lancet Commission call to raise alcohol prices to cut liver disease

A new Lancet Commission on liver health in Europe highlights a growing and largely preventable burden of liver disease, with around 284,000 deaths each year linked to conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Alcohol is identified as a major contributing factor alongside obesity, poor diet and viral hepatitis, with experts warning that without action the scale of harm will continue to rise.
 
The Commission calls for stronger, population-level measures to address the commercial drivers of ill health, including significantly higher taxes on alcohol and unhealthy food, mandatory health warnings, and tighter restrictions on marketing—particularly to children. It argues that aligning taxation with the true societal costs of these products is essential to reducing consumption and preventing harm.

Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Scotland said,

“Liver specialists have made clear call to governments across Europe that to prevent deaths caused by liver disease they must increase the price of alcohol. Scotland showed real leadership by introducing a minimum unit price on alcohol, and it has worked. But as inflation pushes up everyday prices, alcohol becomes relatively cheaper, undermining its life?saving potential.

That’s why Alcohol Focus Scotland is calling on the next government to protect and strengthen minimum unit pricing through automatic reviews and uprating. It’s a simple, evidence?based step that can save lives, reduce pressure on the NHS, and give Scotland the best possible chance to turn the tide on alcohol harm.”