Statistics released today by National Records of Scotland (NRS), show that the number of alcohol-specific deaths fell by 7% in 2024. There were 1,185 deaths that were a direct consequence of alcohol use, a decrease of 92 from 2023.
Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, and an addiction psychiatrist based in Scotland, said:
This fall in alcohol-specific deaths is welcome news. Although it’s important to note that this is only the tip of the iceberg of alcohol deaths. These are deaths from conditions solely caused by alcohol – like alcohol-related liver disease – and there are many more deaths from conditions like cancer and heart disease that aren’t included in these figures. Yet, a fall is encouraging and it may be that the impact of lockdown on increasing the consumption of the heaviest drinkers is starting to diminish.
Compared to the rest of the UK, Scotland had made real progress in reducing alcohol deaths over the past 20 years. From a starting point of a substantial gap, Scotland’s alcohol death rate is now close to, and at times below, the northern regions of England and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish experience shows that harm from alcohol can be reduced by a well planned alcohol strategy, but actions must be sustained and developed. The introduction of Minimum Unit Price (MUP) showed a beneficial initial impact, but the MUP level must keep pace with incomes and the uprating of the level in late 2024 should show benefits in the near future.
Deaths still remain far higher than they should be, and every life lost is an avoidable tragedy. Public Health Scotland’s recent review has shown that alcohol marketing is pervasive, persuasive, and proven to drive consumption and harm, including among children. At present, marketing is governed by voluntary rules written and overseen by the industry itself. The alcohol industry should no longer be allowed to mark its own homework – we need mandatory restrictions on marketing to protect the next generation, and governments across the UK should work together to achieve this.
The UK Government can also help reduce deaths across the four nations. Supermarkets continue to sell alcohol at rock-bottom prices, undercutting pubs and fuelling harm. Reintroducing an alcohol duty escalator to restore the true value of duties would be a win for public health, the NHS, and our economy. Additional government revenue from duties and private profits from Minimum Unit Price should be invested in alcohol services. There is much more that can be done to reduce harm from alcohol. Scotland should renew its alcohol strategy to regain its leading position in international alcohol policy and put health before industry profits.”
Scottish Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd, said:
Behind every number is a person and my heartfelt condolences go out to those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol.
It is welcome to see the number of deaths at the lowest level since 2019 and we are continuing to work closely with local Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (ADPs) and other stakeholders to provide targeted, person-centred support, backed by record levels of funding of around £160 million this year.
However, while we are making progress on tackling the harms caused by alcohol, we cannot become complacent.
This is a public health priority and we are continuing to channel our energy towards reducing alcohol harm further. There is still a lot of work to be done to save and improve lives.
Research commended by internationally renowned public health experts has estimated that our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy has saved hundreds of lives and is likely to have averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions.”