SHEFFIELD STUDY SUPPORTS MINIMUM ALCOHOL DRINK PRICING.

SHEFFIELD STUDY SUPPORTS MINIMUM ALCOHOL DRINK PRICING.

EVIDENCE SHOWS ACTION WOULD SAVE LIVES AND CUT CRIME,

Researchers at Sheffield University have backed Scottish Government plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in a report which says the action would save hundreds of lives every year, cut crime and improve quality of life.

Welcoming the findings, Dr Ian McKee, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee, said:

“The evidence now supporting the Scottish Government’s proposals is overwhelming with this report confirming minimum pricing would save lives, cut crime and improve quality of life.

“As the evidence stacks up week after week those politicians who oppose minimum pricing look increasingly irresponsible.

“The scale of Scotland's alcohol misuse problem is shocking: 42,500 alcohol-related hospital discharges; 1,500 deaths per year; soaring rates of liver cirrhosis; the eighth highest consumption in the world, and a 2.25 billion annual cost in public services and lost productivity.

“The report by Sheffield University underlines why the Scottish Government is right to tackle the scourge of alcohol misuse"