Scottish alcohol sales fall in first year of MUP, but fortified wine sales rise

Sales of alcohol in Scotland’s convenience stores and supermarkets fell by 3.6% in the 12-months after the country enforced minimum unit pricing (MUP) on all drinks, according to the NHS.

Overall, the volume of pure alcohol sold in Scotland fell from .from 7.4 to 7.1 litres.

The biggest impact was on cider sales, which fell by nearly a fifth (18.6%), spirits fell by 3.8%, wine volume sales fell 3%, and beer dropped by 1.1%.

Minimum Unit Pricing meant that the price per unit of cider rose from 13p to 56p, while wine jumped from 14p to 61p per unit.

MUP was finally implemented May 2018 after an extensive debate as part of the Scottish government’s strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm. The law made it illegal to sell alcohol in licensed premises in Scotland for less than 50p per unit.

However, sales of fortified wine actually rose by 16.4% in the same period, and this is due in part to how MUP works.. Buckfast is a fortified tonic wine with an ABV of 15% whereas Frosty Jacks has a 7.5% ABV, both of which are often referenced in discussions over problem drinking.

But as price is dictated by the amount of units per bottle, a standard 75cl bottle of Buckfast has remained unchanged at £7.99 while the three-litre cider bottle has increased from £3.70 to £11.25.

A study published earlier this month by NHS Health Scotland found many of the products favoured by the young people were, on average, already being sold above 50p per unit before MUP was introduced.

Scotland’s MUP policy has prompted academics and alcohol charities worldwide to support similar measures elsewhere. (MUP) of AU$1.30 per standard drink across Australia could dramatically reduce alcohol consumption across thr country, according to a study tabled by researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne.