Scotland’s alcohol consumption on the rise

Alcohol sales in Scotland increased 2015, bucking a downward trend in consumption in the UK, with off-trade sales at their highest in over 20 years.

Health campaigners have expressed concern at the increase, and the SNP government say this has renewed their commitment to impose minimum unit pricing for alcohol.

Figures released by NHS Health Scotland show that a downward trend in consumption recorded in recent years has been reversed. The report found that 10.8 litres of pure alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland in 2015, a slight rise from 2014 – the same as 41 bottles of vodka. This is the equivalent to 20.5 units being sold per adult each week in 2015.

The report says the sales figures show a much higher proportion of alcohol being sold through supermarkets and other off-sales outlets, with Scotland becoming a nation of home drinkers. Off-sales accounted for 74% of all alcohol sales in this period, and the levels were the highest since records began in 1994.

The average price of a unit of alcohol in the off-trade was 52p, which has remained unchanged for the past two years. Around half of alcohol sold in the off-trade cost under 50p per unit, the initial level proposed in Scotland for mimimum unit pricing.

Meanwhile, the average on-trade price was £1.74 per unit.

Scottish sales were 20% higher than in England and Wales, mainly driven by higher sales of cheaper alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences, particularly spirits. More than twice as much vodka was bought through these outlets per adult in Scotland than in England and Wales.

Dr Mark Robinson, senior public health information manager at NHS Health Scotland, said: “Trends in the price of alcohol sold by supermarkets and off-licences correspond with trends in the volume of alcohol sold by these retailers. Between 2009 and 2013, the average price of alcohol increased and consumption decreased. Since 2013, average price has flattened and consumption has increased. Higher levels of alcohol consumption result in higher levels of alcohol-related harm and these present a substantial public health and economic cost to Scotland.”

For the Scottish Government, Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said the new figures reinforce their aims for legal measures to help reduce consumption. She said: “We remain absolutely committed to introducing minimum unit pricing and this report adds to the wealth of evidence which supports this policy. We also welcome the fact that the European courts have returned this matter to the Scottish courts for a final decision.”

The rise in home drinking also highlights the ongoing problems faced by the on-trade. Responding to the report, Paul Waterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: “Looking around the world, any country with a big home-drinking population has a real problem with abuse. The Government have tried to counter that with minimum pricing, which we support. But we’re still waiting.”