First report on Scotland's Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol is far from convincing

Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) on the 1st May 2018, and the latest NHS Scotland report shows alcohol purchased in Scotland fell by 3%.

The fall saw alcohol consumption in Scotland fall to 19 units per adult per week, the lowest since records began in 1994, however the veracity of the claims has been disputed. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Dr Ewan Forrest of Glasgow Royal Infirmary said it was “probably too early to say” if there had been a reduction in harm caused by alcohol”. The problem stems from the data. Alcohol consumption in Scotland has been falling steadily and it is unsure of the effects of MUP on this trend at this stage. On top of that a number of other initiatives were launched, including stopping multibuy promotions of alcohol and discount coupons from supermarkets being used to purchase alcohol.

The NHS report claims that the sale of alcohol has dropped in Scotland but does not include any information on the purchase of cheaper alcohol in England being taken to Scotland. While a report by The Times in April 2019 pointed to a rise in alcohol sales in Scotland between March 2018 and 2019.