Scots doctors warning about increased alcohol sales

Doctors’ leaders in Scotland called for tough action to tackle the cost of alcohol in Scotland following the release of information from Health Scotland that alcohol sales in Scotland had reached an all time high, surpassing volume sales in England and Wales. The Health Scotland report found that on average, this high volume of sales equated to 22.8 units of alcohol per adult, on average, per week, above the recommended upper weekly limit of 21 units for men.

Regular heavy alcohol consumption is known to have significant consequences for an individual’s health and a recent BMA survey of General Practices in Scotland found that, on one day in April, alcohol was a factor in more than 5,500 consultations in general practice in Scotland. This equates to around 1.4 million consultations per year, costing the NHS in excess of £28 million and accounts for 6% of all GP consultations.

The figures calculated by NHS Scotland from sales data show that, in 2009, the Scottish population aged 16+ consumed on average 1185 units of alcohol. The equivalent figure for England and Wales was 982 units. In all countries, around twice as many units of alcohol were purchased from off-licensed premises as from on-licensed premises – Scotland, on-sales 386 units; off sales 799 units England and Wales, on sales 347 units, off sales 635 units In both cases, the predominance of off-sales is probably not merely coincidentally related to the fact that the average cost of an offsales unit of alcohol was less than half the price of an on-sales unit: Scotland, on-sales, £1.28, off-sales 43p England and Wales on-sales £1.26, off-sales 44p The combined cost of a unit of alcohol in Scotland was 71p, in England and Wales 73p. These figures do, of course, have implications for the argument about minimum pricing of alcohol. As, both north and south of the border, the average price of an off-sales unit of alcohol is already over 40p, it seems unlikely that minimum pricing would have signifi cant impact on consumption levels unless the minimum unit price were set at at least 50p. Ref: Alcohol Sales Data Scotland and England and Wales 1994- 2009. Healthscotland.com 2011

The Scottish doctors’ leaders said that, while high volume sales of alcohol might be good for the drinks industry and supermarkets, alcohol harm costs Scottish taxpayers approximately £3.56 billion per year, around £900 per person. The cost of premature deaths caused by alcohol is estimated at £1.46 billion while healthcare-related costs are £268.8 million.

Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: “In Scotland, the government has embraced the BMA’s policies on tackling alcohol misuse and has already legislated to improve licensing and end promotions to encourage bulk buying of alcohol in supermarkets. However, a failure by the Scottish Parliament to support minimum pricing means that it will be increasingly difficult to affect real change in people’s drinking habits. There is a wealth of evidence that demonstrates the link between price and consumption and this is a central part of any alcohol strategy.... It is essential that this parliament supports new legislation to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in Scotland. Sensible drinking begins with sensible pricing. The more alcohol that is sold in Scotland, the greater the numbers of people drinking to excess and the NHS will bear the brunt of the health consequences. The financial burden is no longer sustainable and if this trend continues the service will struggle to cope.”

“The most effective and evidence-based intervention to reduce consumption of alcohol is to tackle price and availability. Politicians have a central role in regulating the drinks industry and supermarkets to put an end to the ridiculous pricing of alcohol. By increasing price, we can reduce consumption and this, in turn, can prevent needless deaths.”

On one day in Scotland:

• alcohol will cost Scotland £97.5 million in terms of health, violence and crime

• alcohol will kill five people

• 98 people will be admitted to hospital with an alcoholrelated condition

• 23 people will commit a drink driving offence 450 victims of violent crime will perceive their assailant to be under the influence of alcohol