Scotland alcohol deaths: Latest figures on drink deaths due today as campaign launched

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is due to release its latest data report, giving policy makers an insight into how effective initiatives such as minimum unit pricing (MUP) has been.

The latest report on MUP from Public Health Scotland (PHS) claimed the policy saved the lives of 150 Scots during 2022/23, but this could be called into question if the number of drink deaths has substantially increased.

According to PHS, the meta-analysis shows MUP “has reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by an estimated 13.4 per cent and hospital admissions by 4.1 per cent, with the largest reductions seen in men and those living in the 40 per cent most deprived areas”.

The report’s authors say this equates to 150 fewer deaths and 400 fewer admissions in 2022/23, using England – which has not implemented a MUP policy – as a control.

Ahead of the release of the NRS report, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) has launched the ‘See Beyond – See the Lives’ campaign, alongside the University of Stirling, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, and The Salvation Army.

The campaign aims to challenge “the judgement and stereotypes that people often bring to the topic” of substance use.