Key points from article :
There is growing pressure on the UK government to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in England, as alcohol-related deaths rise by 10% annually. Health experts, including Lord Darzi, have called for immediate action to increase the price of cheap alcohol in supermarkets and off-licenses. A bottle of cider can currently be purchased for as little as 22p per unit in England, contributing to rising deaths linked to excessive drinking. Public health leaders argue that setting a minimum price, as already implemented in Scotland and Wales, could significantly reduce alcohol-related harm and save lives.
Scotland introduced MUP in 2018, starting at 50p per unit and recently raising it to 65p. Research has shown that this policy is associated with a 13.4% reduction in alcohol-related deaths in Scotland. The policy targets the strongest, cheapest drinks that cause the most harm without affecting all alcoholic beverages. Despite initial concerns, there is no clear evidence of a substantial negative impact on the alcohol industry.
Health officials like Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, are urging the government to adopt similar measures in England. In addition to MUP, they advocate for the reintroduction of the alcohol duty escalator, which would raise taxes on alcohol in line with inflation, and the creation of a comprehensive national alcohol strategy. Experts believe these actions could curb the rising death toll and reduce the estimated £27.4 billion in alcohol-related costs to society each year.
