Minimum pricing has led to a small drop in drinking but has not led to a reduction among people dependent on alcohol.  

A new report, five years after the policy was introduced, putting a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol, claimed there would have been more deaths and hospital admissions had it not been in place.

When it was introduced in 2018, the Scottish Government said of the policy: “The greatest health benefits are estimated to be seen amongst hazardous and harmful drinkers as they disproportionately consume the alcohol most affected and experience most harm.

“Minimum pricing, therefore, effectively targets those individuals whose drinking puts them most at risk of harm.”

READ NEXT:Protest against Orange Order march past catholic church

However, the evaluation shows it has not had any significant impact on those who are considered to be the most problematic drinkers.

The report stated: “For those people with alcohol dependence there was limited evidence of any reduction in consumption and there is some evidence of consequences for those with established alcohol dependence on low incomes, that led them to prioritise spending on alcohol over food."

The Public Health Scotland report found there was a 3% overall reduction in alcohol consumption, and estimated a 13.4% cut in deaths and 4.1%  had minimum pricing not been in place.

It concluded: “Overall, the evidence supports that MUP has had a positive impact on health outcomes, including alcohol-related health inequalities. There was no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry or social harms at the population level.”

READ NEXT: Bank branch closure campaign goes to House of Commons

Elena Whitham, Scottish Government, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister, said: “We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm and, as this research demonstrates, our world-leading policy is saving lives, reducing alcohol harms and hospital admissions.

“MUP has also contributed to reducing health inequalities. The study found the largest reductions in deaths and hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption were seen in men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas.”

It has been noted however, that the policy is putting more pressure on people dependent on alcohol.

Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Favor, which supports people in recovery from alcohol and drugs warned minimum pricing is not helping those most in need of help.

She said: “The primary purpose of introducing this policy was supposedly to assist dependent or problematic drinkers in Scotland by reducing their alcohol consumption.

“However, the evidence presented in this morning’s report clearly indicates that this objective is not being achieved.

“Consequently, instead of promoting a decrease in alcohol intake among dependent individuals, the policy unfairly imposes financial penalties on social and moderate drinkers.

“Consequently, the heaviest drinkers, who are already dependent, are further burdened economically, limiting their ability to afford basic necessities such as food and heating.”