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Leading health organisations demand urgent action on alcohol deaths

More than 20 organisations from across Scotland’s health and social care sectors have joined together to urge the Scottish Government to secure the future minimum unit pricing (MUP) by introducing automatic uprating of the measure.

In a letter to Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, the coalition warns that alcohol harm remains a public health emergency, with nearly 1,200 alcohol-specific deaths recorded in Scotland in 2024.

While welcoming the Scottish Government’s new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan published earlier this year, the group stress that treatment and support services alone cannot reverse Scotland’s alcohol crisis and are calling for stronger action to prevent harm before it occurs.

Central to the campaign group’s call is the future of minimum unit pricing. The letter states that the policy has been adopted and evaluated and now needs a straightforward administrative measure to keep the price of alcohol at an appropriate level.

The coalition is urging the Scottish Government to commit to automatic uprating of the minimum unit price, ensuring the policy retains its effectiveness over time and is not eroded by inflation.

Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, a key member of the campaigning group said, “Scotland is losing almost 1,200 lives a year to entirely preventable, alcohol-specific causes. But we know that it’s possible to change this. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing, but lately, we’ve fallen behind. We want the Scottish Government to secure the legacy of this groundbreaking policy, with a move to automatic uprating to save and improve lives in Scotland.”

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of medical expert alcohol group Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), said:

“The case has been proven and minimum unit pricing saves lives. Rather than reopening the debate its now time for the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation to automatically increase the level of the minimum price in line with inflation each year. Then, given the scale of alcohol harms facing the country, serious consideration must be given to how to protect future generations from predatory alcohol marketing, which drives up harms. This is a not just a moral case for taking action, but an economic one. The fewer people whose health are affected by alcohol, the better it is for the economy, whilst also taking pressure off our public services. This has never been more urgent.”

Laura Mahon, CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs, said:

 “Families are at the frontline responding to Scotland’s ongoing crisis of drug and alcohol harm.  Families want action, real and tangible changes and advances to support them in their efforts to keep their loved ones safe.  SFAD has long supported the prevention policies promised by the Scottish Government.  Family members have spoken out publicly about how their needs and the needs of their loved ones must be put before the profits of big business.  Uprating MUP would not only ensure it remains effective, but would also signal the intent to put words and evidence into action.  The families we support need to see that commitment, and see it applied right from primary prevention measures through to investment in treatment and support services.”

Tracey Mcfall, CEO of Scottish Recovery Consortium, said:

 “Treatment is often the first step, but recovery is a long-term journey. People are most likely to achieve and sustain recovery when they have access to community-based support, meaningful connections and opportunities to contribute. Continued investment in recovery services and recovery organisations is crucial to helping individuals, families and communities across Scotland thrive”

As part of the overall call, the letter also highlights the need for a wider package of measures to reduce alcohol consumption and improve public health including:

• Reforming licensing system for off-trade and online alcohol sales
• Restricting alcohol marketing, advertising and sponsorship
• Introducing mandatory health information and warning labels on alcohol products
• Increasing investment in alcohol treatment and support services.