The minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland has recently increased from 50p to 65p per unit of alcohol. This significant rise in pricing, a 30 per cent increase, has been implemented to tackle alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions. The SNP Government initially introduced this policy back in 2018, with the recent adjustment aiming to have a more substantial impact in reducing harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
However, the timing of this price hike has coincided with the disclosure that alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have surged to a 15-year high, raising questions about the effectiveness of the minimum unit pricing strategy. The price adjustments mean that popular alcoholic beverages will also see an increase in their minimum pricing. For example, a four-pack of Tennent’s cans will now cost £4.58, up from £3.52, while the same pack of Guinness will also see a price rise to £4.58 from £3.52.
In the spirits category, a 70cl bottle of Famous Grouse will now be priced at £18.20, up from £14, and a bottle of Glen’s vodka will cost £17.07, increased from £13.13. Similarly, Captain Morgan will now be priced at £15.93 instead of £12.25. Wine lovers can expect to pay more too, as a bottle of Blossom Hill will rise to £6.10 from £4.69.
The debate surrounding the effectiveness of minimum unit pricing continues, with examples like Buckfast seeing a rise in prices in 2020, followed by a subsequent reduction in the year after the previous pricing adjustment. Additionally, despite an average price hike of over 10 per cent, sales of Tennent’s from shops increased. It is worth noting that the revenue generated from these price increases goes to retailers, although campaigners argue that it should be allocated towards alcohol support services.
SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray defended the policy, citing research endorsed by international public health experts that estimated the policy had saved hundreds of lives, prevented numerous alcohol-related hospitalisations, and contributed to reducing health inequalities. The ongoing dialogue around the impact and efficacy of minimum unit pricing in Scotland remains a topic of interest and contention in the efforts to address alcohol-related harms in the country.