Humza Yousaf has been accused of “grossly misleading” the public over the Scottish Government’s claim that minimum pricing of alcohol has saved lives.

Last week, following Public Health Scotland’s evaluation of minimum pricing, it was stated that after five years it has saved lives and reduced the number of people admitted to hospital.

Glasgow Conservative MSP, Sandesh Gulhane, however, has said the evidence used in the report does not support the claim.

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He has reported the First Minister and Public Health Scotland to the UK Statistics Authority and has asked for a review of the final report.

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

Glasgow Times:

Yousaf said at First Minister’s Questions: “I am really pleased to see the progress that has been made with the introduction of the minimum unit pricing, which is quite literally saving lives.”

Gulhane, however, said closer analysis of the bibliography reveals 32 of the studies mentioned are silent on the health outcomes of MUP.

He said seven of the studies into health outcomes reached negative or inconclusive verdicts on it, including one study that was deemed low quality by the Scottish Government.

Glasgow Times:

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And he added only a single study concluded deaths “might have” been averted “under the counterfactual situation that MUP legislation was not enacted in Scotland”.

Gulhane said: “I feel compelled to write to the UK Statistics Authority because this report is grossly misleading.

“SNP ministers view MUP as the panacea in tackling problem drinking but none of the studies to date have backed up that theory – and neither does this one, despite their desperate spinning.

He added: “But this is too important a subject for data to be misrepresented to suit a political narrative.

“Alcohol deaths in Scotland are at their highest level since 2008 on the SNP’s watch – with 1,245 people losing their lives in 2021 – and, if we’re to get on top of this problem, we need unvarnished facts.

“At best the jury is still out on whether MUP is effective; indeed, there is evidence to show it’s counterproductive as it leads some problem drinkers to forego food.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Public Health Scotland used research governance processes and established scientific methods to ensure impartiality, and had their quality assessment of the papers for inclusion validated by a third party not involved in the MUP evaluation.

"The draft final report was reviewed by members of the evidence synthesis advisory group, which comprised members with a variety of relevant experience, including lived experience, experience and expertise in public health, and expertise in evidence synthesis of evidence for decision making.

“The Scottish Government will be considering a wide range of evidence and information to inform our ongoing assessment of the operation of Minimum Unit Pricing.  Our final report on MUP will be laid in Parliament in the autumn.”