University to research impact of minimum alcohol pricing laws on Scotland’s heavy drinkers

A THREE-YEAR study into the impact of minimum alcohol pricing on Scotland’s heaviest drinkers is to be carried out by university researchers.

Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh said it has been awarded a grant to investigate whether the move, proposed by the Scottish Government, would make severe drinkers change their habits.

The research will centre on patients with alcohol-related illnesses who, the university said, appear to buy more of their weekly drink very cheaply, compared with other drinkers.

The study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office and the charity Alcohol Research UK, will be conducted by Professor Jonathan Chick and Dr Jan Gill of the university’s school of health sciences.

It will be carried out over three years in Glasgow and Edinburgh and will focus on around 500 of the “hardest to reach” group of severe drinkers. Experts said members of this group account for many hospital admissions and deaths related to alcohol and are under-represented in other survey data.

The level of funding for the study has not been disclosed.

Prof Chick said: “Pricing measures can reduce health harms from alcohol in two ways: by reducing the numbers newly recruited into heavy drinking and by helping to moderate the drinking patterns of already-established heavy drinkers.

“Our research will look at the factors which influence the habits of severe drinkers before and after the introduction of minimum unit pricing.

“In our pilot study, we established that this group particularly consume cheap ciders and vodka which might be particularly damaging for brain and liver cells. We will also look at whether they turn to sourcing drink from outside Scotland or begin to consume illicit or substitute alcohol or other intoxicants.”

The SNP administration wants to bring in a minimum price per unit of alcohol as part of plans to tackle Scotland’s booze culture. The proposal is contained in the Government’s Alcohol Bill.

The annual cost of alcohol abuse to Scottish business, the NHS, social services, police and courts is thought to be between £2.5 billion and around £4.5 billion, the university said.

No official pricing limit has been set but based on a level of 45p per unit, the minimum price for a standard 700ml bottle of spirits at 37.5% ABV would be £11.82. A two-litre bottle of 6% cider would cost £5.40.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “We are pleased to be able to support this important piece of independent research which will provide valuable information on the impact of our proposed legislation.

“The research is timely and complementary to the Scottish Government health directorates’ overall research programme which is in place to monitor and evaluate the impact of our alcohol framework.”