Scots could be hit by EVEN MORE booze price increases
BOOZE BLUES Scots could be hit by EVEN MORE booze price increases
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SCOTS could be hit with another rise in the cost of alcohol if new changes are introduced.
Minimum unit pricing increased from 50p per unit to 65p per unit from September 30 last year.
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Scots could be hit with another rise in the cost of alcohol
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Anyone with a licence to sell alcohol cannot sell it cheaper than this to the public.
The levy came into effect in 2018 and was part of efforts to cut the harm caused by booze.
Overall, in 2023, there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes.
In Scotland, there were 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths, up by one on 2022, and a 15-year high.
Now calls have been made for automatic increases to minimum unit pricing, which would apply without Government approval, reports the Daily Mail.
A new report signed by Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the Royal College of Nursing is backing the introduction of "automatic uprating of the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol to optimise the effectiveness of the policy in saving and improving lives".
It comes as First Minister John Swinney is set to announce his programme for government next Tuesday, May 6.
Last year, a 13 per cent bottle of wine increased from £4.88 to £6.34.
A 700ml bottle of 40 per cent spirits like whisky was hiked by more than £4 - from £14 to £18.20.
And a four-pack of five per cent ABV beer costs at least £5.72, compared to £4.40 previously.
Symptoms, causes and treatment for liver cancer
Laura Mahon, acting chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: "For too long, we have seen deaths from alcohol continue to rise.
"We need concrete measures to prevent this - time is running out for this Government to demonstrate genuine results, so together with partners, we've provided a roadmap for delivery.
"Now we need to see clear leadership and investment.
"Earlier detection of liver damage is essential because of its life-saving potential.
"A number of these initiatives are already happening at a local level and could be scaled up and enable people with serious or potentially life-threatening alcohol problems to be identified sooner and supported more effectively, reducing their risk of experiencing further harm."
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: "We remain focused on reducing alcohol-related harm and deaths.
"Early detection of liver disease is a priority which is being delivered by the national Centre for Sustainable Delivery.
"Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy has saved hundreds of lives and likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions."
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