Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Scots under 40s risking serious health harm
Scotland’s culture of heavy and binge drinking is having an increasing impact on the health of younger people, according to the latest statistics. These also show that Scotland is bucking the international trend for chronic liver disease: while most European countries have seen levels fall, rates in Scotland have almost trebled over the last 15 years. The latest Alcohol Hospital Statistics and Liver Disease Statistics show:
Scotland sees, on average, 115 hospital discharges per day due to alcohol misuse
Alcohol-related discharges have increased by nine per cent over the past fi ve years
Alcohol-related discharges have increased by 22 per cent for 30-34 year olds and by 19 per cent for 35-39 year olds
Scotland’s rate of chronic liver disease almost trebled over the last 15 years - and continues to rise
While death rates have been falling across most of Europe, they remain high in Scotland
Chronic liver disease death rates amongst 30-39 year olds have risen almost five-fold since the mid 1980s
Rates of hospital discharge for chronic liver disease among young Scottish women (25-29) has increased seven-fold over the last 20 years.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
“These shocking statistics make grim reading and provide yet more evidence that we must turn the tide of alcohol harm.
“Scotland’s love affair with drink is well documented and we’re taking radical and decisive action to tackle pocket-money prices which - as the World Health Organisation recognises - help to drive consumption and harm.
“Most worrying is the increase in alcohol-related problems among young people, who are putting themselves at risk of serious health problems. Alcohol is now around 70 per cent more affordable than it was in 1980 and, over the same period, consumption and alcohol-related harm have spiralled. These factors are not unrelated.
“Cheap alcohol is making a serious situation even worse. By linking price to product strength, minimum pricing will put an end to the sale of highstrength alcohol for less than the cost of bottled water.
“This will help to address the staggering cost to Scotland - both in economic terms and in terms of lost or blighted lives.”
Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost Scotland around £3.6 billion per year, or £900 for every adult.
Proposals to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol were included in the Alcohol Bill which is currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament.
Research clearly shows that the greatest effect of a minimum price would be on heavy and young drinkers, who tend to choose higher strength, lower-cost products.
Further information and data can be accessed at http://www.scotpho.org.uk/chronicliverdisease/
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Scotland’s doctors call for end to supermarket
‘reward’ points for alcohol Scottish GPs have backed a proposal that alcohol purchases should not be eligible for “customer loyalty points” as part of a series of measures to tackle the promotion of cheap alcohol in supermarkets. GPs attending the annual Scottish conference of Local Medical Committees in Clydebank also gave their unanimous backing to the Scottish Government’s plans for a minimum price for alcohol. Speaking during the debate, Dr Catriona Morton, a GP in Edinburgh, said: “Alcohol misuse doesn’t just affect the drinker, but also those around them. 65,000 Scottish children live in homes with problematic drinkers – the rate of calls to Childline Scotland from children distressed by alcohol use in their families is twice that of the rest of the UK. Most alcohol bought for consumption at home is from supermarkets. Supermarkets offer special cut price deals on alcohol and offer special promotions to encourage bulk buying of cheap alcohol. Stopping loyalty points – not available on cigarettes – would be a tiny reminder of unequivocal harm caused.” Dr Jim O’Neil, a GP in Glasgow, added: “I work in an area of deprivation in Glasgow where life expectancy for men is just 58. Alcohol is one of the biggest killers and cause of morbidity in my area. Local Government must also take responsibility when issuing licenses for corner shops who sell cheap alcohol.” The Motion Debated was: That conference acknowledges the relationship between irresponsible alcohol promotions and problem drinking, and:
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