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Scotland can once again lead the way on alcohol - Guest Blog, by Melissa Dando

As part of Cancer Prevention Action Week (23-29 June), Melissa Dando, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer at World Cancer Research Fund outlines why tackling alcohol must be prioritised by all political parties ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2026.

Scotland is gearing up for a Parliamentary election next year, presenting a critical opportunity for alcohol harm to be placed firmly at the top of the political agenda.

This Cancer Prevention Action Week (23-29 June), organised by the World Cancer Research Fund and supported by Alcohol Focus Scotland, we’re spotlighting one of less well-known causes of cancer: alcohol.

The alcohol-cancer link is undeniable, yet awareness is low

This is particularly relevant in Scotland where 17% (1 in 6) people think there are no health risks attached to drinking alcohol. Whilst this figure is better than the UK’s staggering average of 25% (1 in 4), more needs to be done. Alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer[1], including breast and bowel, two of the most common cancers in Scotland. Most people are also unaware that any amount of alcohol consumption increases your cancer risk.

Let’s be clear - low awareness of the cancer risk of alcohol, as well as its many other health harms, is not a reflection on the public but rather a failure of current policies.

MUP is a good first step but more needs to be done

With alcohol long placing an immense burden on Scottish society, the government acted, implementing Minimum Unit Pricing, or MUP, which created a floor price of 50pence per unit. This affected high-strength, low-cost alcohol – favoured by heavier drinkers – the most. The price of a 3-litre bottle of high-strength cider (7.5% ABV) rose from £3.99, the equivalent of a bottle of apple juice, to £11.25.

The independent evaluation of MUP estimated the policy had led to a 13.4% decrease in deaths wholly caused by alcohol as well as 3% reduction in overall alcohol consumption. Although deaths in Scotland – as in a number of other countries - have gone up due to the effect of Covid on drinking patterns, the evaluation found that deaths would have been significantly higher without MUP. [2].

Now is the time to take action

Now, in the wake of Covid and Scotland’s parliamentary elections on the horizon, political parties must build on Scotland’s leadership on alcohol and implement a revised National Alcohol Strategy for Scotland. One that reflects the impact of the pandemic and places prevention at its core – recognising it as the most sustainable and cost-effective way to prevent alcohol harms including cancer.

The Strategy must build on the success of MUP by making sure that it is continuously updated with inflation to maintain effectiveness. In addition, we need to see the increased revenues reaped by the alcohol industry as a result of increased prices under MUP, diverted to prevention and treatment services that benefit the public.

Scotland can pave the way

Whilst a coordinated approach across the UK would undeniably be most effective in tackling alcohol harm across the country, we urge the next Scottish Government to make full use of their devolved powers which will allow them to make progress in key areas such as mandatory health warning labels and marketing restrictions.

Crucially, the policies set out in the revised Strategy must be developed in conjunction with a new plan for cancer, given that the Scottish Government’s current Cancer Action Plan expires in 2026.

Ultimately, both renewed Strategies must place prevention at their core.

Voters will be holding the Government to account

In 2026, as voters go to the ballot box, they will be looking for leadership reminiscent of when Scotland took the bold, necessary, action of implementing MUP. With strong support for placing public health over corporate interest, further intervention on alcohol will be viewed as a positive step forward. Action on alcohol must be a priority for all political parties ahead of the next election.

Scotland has done it before, and they can lead the way once again.

[1] World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Continuous Update Project Expert Report 2018. Alcoholic drinks and the risk of cancer. Available at dietandcancerreport.org  

[2] Public Health Scotland. Evaluating the impact of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland: Final report. A synthesis of the evidence 2023. Available at http://bit.ly/4e1HPEE