Price - IAS

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Regulation of the price of alcohol is the most cost-effective tool used by governments to address alcohol-related harm, according to the World Health Organisation. Governments use three main methods to regulate the price of alcohol:

Varying alcohol prices
Varying alcohol taxes/duties
Using Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP)

This page includes figures on alcohol pricing in the UK, the level of taxation for each beverage type, how the price of alcohol affects both the level of consumption and the level of various harms, and the impact of different policy measures on those consumption and harms, including evidence in several countries.

Resources available on this page:

Frequently Asked Questions about 'Price', with infographics presenting the most up-to-date statistics on the subject
Factsheets providing an in depth perspective on the subject of 'Price'
Publications, Blogs, and News tagged 'Price' for further reading

What determines the price of alcohol in the UK?

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How much do people pay for alcohol? (by product)

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How much do people pay for alcohol? (on-trade versus off-trade)

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How affordable is alcohol?

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How does alcohol's affordability affect consumption?

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How many deaths would be avoided if alcohol duty was increased?

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How many hospital admissions would be avoided if alcohol duty was increased?

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What are the current duty rates for alcohol?

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How have alcohol duties changed over time?

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Which countries have adopted minimum alcohol pricing?

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How does minimum unit pricing affect the price of alcohol?

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How effective is minimum unit pricing?

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How effective are alcohol duties and minimum unit pricing combined?

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Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland and Wales: what is the impact so far?

15th July 2021 | Professor Eileen Kaner

Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland and Wales: what is the impact so far?

Professor Kaner assesses how minimum unit pricing in Scotland and Wales is changing consumption patterns and harmful drinking habits. Read more »

Shrinking drinks – How minimum pricing is making bottles smaller

14th August 2020 | Andrew Misell

Shrinking drinks – How minimum pricing is making bottles smaller

Andrew Misell believes producers’ and consumers’ reactions to the new minimum unit price of alcohol in Wales could lead to a win-win situation for both industry and public health actors Read more »

The Pass-Through of Alcohol Excise Taxes to Prices in OECD Countries: Filling in the evidence gap

12th June 2020 | Ce Shang

The Pass-Through of Alcohol Excise Taxes to Prices in OECD Countries: Filling in the evidence gap

Governments ‘may consider additionally implementing minimum pricing policies’ as a viable complement to tax increases on alcohol Read more »

Budget 2021: Duties for alcohol kept on ice

Chancellor Rishi Sunak keeps excise duties for all alcoholic beverages at the same level for a second consecutive year Read more »

IAS urges the chancellor to raise alcohol duty

Raising duties will provide a ‘double dividend’, letter says Read more »

Budget 2020: Alcohol duty frozen, again

Pro-business approach to cost public purse £1bn over next five years Read more »