Following the release of a Public Health Scotland and University of Glasgow study today, the Alcohol Health Alliance are calling on the UK Government to introduce the Minimum Unit Pricing policy in England.
The study indicates a 13.4% reduction in deaths, and a 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption in the first two and a half years after MUP was introduced in May 2018.
Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance said,
“The Public Health Scotland study on Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland published today paints a very positive picture for the effectiveness of MUP. It strengthens the wealth of research already out there that shows MUP works to save lives, reduces pressure on the healthcare system and lessens the growing health inequality gap.
Yet in England, alcohol is still being sold at pocket money prices with alcohol related deaths reaching record highs. We are still without MUP in England and are rapidly falling behind Scotland and Wales in the race to tackle the alcohol harm crisis.
The UK Government must introduce this life-saving policy and bring us up to speed with our neighbours. The data and evidence are there, it cannot be ignored it any longer.”
