Minimum_price_alcohol_Scotland

Minimum price of alcohol

In May 2018 Scotland became the first country to set a Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for alcohol – initially set at 50p per unit. The minimum price for a 500ml can of lager and for a bottle of red wine were set at £1, and £4.69 respectively.

Results analysed by the NHS show that, although consumption of alcohol is still higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, the gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK narrowed, and by June 2019 alcohol consumption in Scotland was its lowest since 1994. Alcohol consumption per head, by volume, fell on average a by 9% during 2018.

The general view from health professionals is that it is ‘too early’ to say whether the reductions will be sustained.